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It would be great to see Cook get a ton in his last test. 66 not out at tea on day 1

Agreed, Mike, it would've been good if Cook had gone on with it but he fell for 71.
While they may have explosive one-day batsmen, England's Test batting is very, very brittle.
Hoping that India can go on with the business and win at The Oval to make it 3-2 England's way.
A 4-1 series win would not do India justice given (the Lord's thrashing aside) they've been pretty competitive.
Ark, it's interesting how they say the cricket is a batsman's game these days, yet the series run records you listed are all pre-1990.
Of course, there are very few five-Test series played these days, but my point is that batsmen have enjoyed periods of dominance all throughout the history of this great game.

AD -- always enjoy your posts: I think India's seam bowllers have performmed well enough for a 3-2 ewsult overall. I agree with you on England's batting line-up, it is the weakest I have seen; even going bsck in to the 1990s, although they failled to win the Ashes, for the most part, Thorpe, Nasser, Atherton, Stewart, and even Johnny Crawley, were much better than today's lot. You are so right about the interesting dynamic between, 'suppossed bat dominatting ball' and yet, the batting recprds are fairly long-standing.

The one modern exception, I feel, in this regard, is Brian Lara. The great man hold's all the records -- includding the first-class score -- and made runs all around the world in short and long series. Time will tell if Smith and Kohli can emulate him in future years.

Thanks, Ark, likewise it's always good to read your thoughts on cricket and footy.
Agreed, the England batsmen of the 1990s were far superior to the current group.
I think the upsurge in T20 cricket has reduced batsmen's capability, or indeed willingness, to play a truly long innings.
While Brian Lara is never overlooked when it comes to discussions on great batsmen, I often think Sachin Tendulkar was put on a pedestal by virtue of how many runs and centuries he made (of course, Sachin was pretty bloody good).
I don't think we'll see another Test batsman reach 400 (Matt Hayden had his chance against Zimbabwe in 2003, before Lara reached the milestone) or a first-class player make 500, so Brian's records will likely remain forever.
I wonder if the late Hanif Mohammad tortured himself mentally for being run out for 499, in the clash between traditional rivals Karachi and Bahawalpur way back in January 1959.

AR and AD I totally agree in regards to the English batsmen of now compared to the 80s & 90s but what it does is probably highlight the quality of bowlers around atm are nowhere near as good as back then!
Also Brian Lara for mine was a better all round batsman then Tendulkar!

The former Willeton opener is heading towards another Century in his very last Test Innings!

Well done AC.Funny way to bring up your hundred.Great response from the oval crowd.
Only the5th player in history to score a century in his first + last test.

gtrxuone wrote: Well done AC.Funny way to bring up your hundred.Great response from the oval crowd.
Only the5th player in history to score a century in his first + last test.

GTR I can remember Greg Chappell scoring a Test Century in his last Test Innings back in 83/84 against the Pakis at the SCG...he of course started his Test career with a hundred in the inaugural WACA Test back in 70/71.

Beasley Hutton wrote:

gtrxuone wrote: Well done AC.Funny way to bring up your hundred.Great response from the oval crowd.
Only the5th player in history to score a century in his first + last test.

GTR I can remember Greg Chappell scoring a Test Century in his last Test Innings back in 83/84 against the Pakis at the SCG...he of course started his Test career with a hundred in the inaugural WACA Test back in 70/71.

Didn't know that.G Chappel was a beautiful batsman to watch.Eng where No1 back then I think the last time they have been in tests.

Fitting end to Cooks career. He is the most dependable batsman England have had in the last 20 years. When he is in form he is very difficult to get out as India have discovered. 7 of his 33 test centuries have been against them, the greatest ones were scored in their landmark victory in the sub continent. Never controversial and always respected by opponents. The standing ovation he received today was the longest I have ever seen for a century. Cook looked a bit embarrassed by it all but it was richly deserved.