ENG v IND 2018: WATCH – Emotional James Anderson pays tribute to Alastair Cook after winning the Oval Test

With scores of 71 and 147 in two innings at The Oval, Cook bid goodbye to his England international career on a high.

James Anderson and Alastair Cook | Getty

Alastair Cook featured in the last match of his illustrious Test career against India at The Oval. For all his contribution towards England cricket and the game on the whole, Cook is deservedly receiving all the praise from his teammates, former cricketers and fans.

On Tuesday (September 11), Cook experienced a fairytale ending as England secured the Oval Test by 118 runs and thus clinched the series 4-1.

After the match, England pacer James Anderson struggled to keep his tears back while paying tribute to Cook. It was also a historic match for Anderson as he castled Mohammad Shami to surpass Glenn McGrath and become the seamer with most number of Test scalps (564).

"I'm happy that Cookie was on the field to see that wicket, it's been a tough week," Anderson told Sky Sports.

"I'm just happy to win the game to be honest. I wasn't even thinking about it [the record]. When they were building that partnership it was looking like they were going to get close. My job was just to try and hold an end and I didn't think I'd end up bowling 14 overs from that end. But got into a really good rhythm and thankfully Joe [Root] let me take the new ball eventually and give me half a chance to take that wicket," he added.

When asked what it meant to play with Cook for 12 long years, Anderson got emotional as he said: "He's my best mate. And he's been brilliant just to be there for me, all the time."

Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, Cook also admitted that the thought of no longer sharing the dressing room with Anderson and Broad would be tough to accept.

"Amazing, it was a selfish thing to be standing there while everyone cheering, and then to see Jimmy pass Glenn McGrath's record was brilliant. That was the hardest bit, him and Broady are the ones I've played the most with, to know I'll never stand at slip and drop another catch off them is sad,” Cook said.

“We've lived in each other's pickets for 12 years. Been a privilege to play with England's greatest cricketer, no disrespect to any other guys, his skills to do it time and time again, you almost take it for granted, that's he's going to hit a length. The game was a little bit tight, but he didn't miss his length once. It is fitting that he got the last wicket," he explained.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 12 Sep, 2018

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