He was also the leading run-scorer of that series.

Cook made the most of it when England toured India where he led from the front and took his team to a 2-1 series win after 27 years in India. Test captaincy followed a year later, after Strauss resigned as skipper, along with announcing his retirement from all forms of the game. He then took over Strauss as the ODI captain, post-England's quarter-final exit from the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, as Strauss stepped down. First tentatively named Strauss' deputy in 2008, 'Cooky' eventually went on to lead the Three Lions, where he emerged as a successful skipper. Still, along with the then captain and opening partner Andrew Strauss, the duo became Test cricket's best and longest-running opening pair since 2006. Runs kept piling and Cook successfully earned his place (and a nickname - Chef) in the England side.Ĭook was largely considered to be a Test-specialist and hence wicket-keeper Matt Prior was often preferred over him to open in ODIs. Confident displays at home against West Indies and on trips to Sri Lanka and England fended early doubts. Following Trescothick's shock retirement, young Cook stepped up to fill the void. A hundred in Perth was Cook's highlight in a largely disappointing tour. Recurrence of Trescothick's illness later in 2006 saw Cook being selected for the Ashes in Australia. He retained his position for the home visit to Sri Lanka and Pakistan combining promising starts with half-centuries and centuries. A 60 on debut followed with a century in the second innings, and fan-favourite Trescothick's departure was already forgotten. When Marcus Trescothick suffered an unexpected mental breakdown while preparing in India, 21-year old Cook was summoned from his Academy tour to the West Indies and instilled straight into Trescothick's opening spot for the Nagpur Test. Wristy elegance and authoritative stand-and-deliver stroke-play allowed consistent displays for his club and county Essex, quickly establishing him as a hot prospect knocking hard on England doors.

Ushered into club and country cricket at 14 and 15 years old respectively, he took to batting as though the willow belonged to him all along. Few cricketing talents would be as gifted as the stylish left-handed opener Alastair Cook.

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