Cricket

[Saveloy]

Quite nicely balanced now. England with their noses in front but it could all change quite quickly.

[Buzzo]

That’s a lot of runs now for India to chase down.

Sam Curran looks a find for England. Shame they can’t find an opening batsman or two (or three) though.

[Shaggy]

Rumours that Cook is gonna retire

[ame]https://twitter.com/Aggerscricket/status/1036549362942443520[/ame]

[S-RED]

Doesn't surprise me, he has had the look of dread every innings for the past 12-18 months; seemed a complete lack of enjoyment with the bat in hand.

[Alex]

Yep. Giving the Captaincy up killed him as a player. Its a shame, as he is one of the best I have ever seen for England with the Bat.

[EwarWoo]

Yep. Giving the Captaincy up killed him as a player. Its a shame, as he is one of the best I have ever seen for England with the Bat.

Getting the captaincy is what did it. Giving it up was a shot at trying to recover which hasn't worked.

[Shaggy]

[ame]https://twitter.com/bbctms/status/1036569169737728000[/ame]

[EwarWoo]

It's long overdue, but still somehow somewhat sad.

[Yozza]

It's long overdue, but still somehow somewhat sad.

Yeah I hope he grabs a few in his last test...

[Zapater]

Comfortably the worst player to score over 10k runs. He's still quite young, but has looked finished the last few years. He has a lot of miles on the clock so it's understandable. Over 10 years and 150 tests will take its toll.

[Red_Polo]

Comfortably the worst player to score over 10k runs.

True. Odd thing to say though it's like the opposite of damning with faint praise

[Buzzo]

Has made the absolute most of his ability and was a real old school test opening batsman.

But... one of the most boring cricketers to watch ever.

I for one willl not miss the classic Cook 140 ball 50 featuring one boundary.

[Le Chef]

Comfortably the worst player to score over 10k runs. He's still quite young, but has looked finished the last few years. He has a lot of miles on the clock so it's understandable. Over 10 years and 150 tests will take its toll.

Killed KP career and now has just apologised - Nob

[Alex]

Didn't he sort of kill his own career by texting with SA players laughing about Strauss and Flower?

[Zapater]

True. Odd thing to say though it's like the opposite of damning with faint praise

I meant it as a compliment. His weight of runs were built up by sheer longevity. It's one hell of an accomplishment. If Graeme Smith had stuck around a year longer, he'd probably have been competing for the accolade. Obviously different stylistically and Smith more prolific, but they are comparable in the way that they overcame limitations to set up games for their countries. Although Smith's bludgeoning makes Cook look like a genuine technician.

KP only has himself to blame, said/did stupid things repeatedly alienating everyone. I suppose he's improving his reputation now with public appearances and media work, but he dug his own grave. There are not many places he can goto (in the world) where there isn't a target painted on his back. He was a nobody in South Africa and I doubt he ever would have been anyone if he had stayed. His comments in the press helped to leverage his career - which he did to perfection. I think he's still bitter about it. Other Africans who play for England let their cricket do the talking. Imagine someone like Curran piping up with that **** to media.