#NewRecord: Alastair Cook surpasses Sangakkara in career Test runs
After a long struggle since the double century against Australia in the 2017-18 Ashes, Alastair Cook delivered his best in his farewell Test. The senior England cricketer had smashed 71 in the first innings against India in the ongoing fifth Test at the Oval. And now his unbeaten 2nd innings ton saw him surpass Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara in terms of Test runs.
Cook 5th highest run-getter in Tests
Cook signs off with a bang
For the last couple of years, Sangakkara sat at the fifth position with 12,400 runs in Test cricket. Cook, who started the fifth Test with 12,254 runs, went past the Lankan star. Sachin Tendulkar tops the list with 15,921 runs followed by Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid. This is an incredible achievement by Cook as he signs off with a bang.
Cook and Root put England in a strong position
Cook and skipper Joe Root have already stitched 180+ runs for the third wicket against India. Root had joined the southpaw when the score was 62/2. The duo have put England into a commanding position to make sure the team finishes off on a strong note. England lead the series 3-1 and a win here means they will see off a 4-1 margin.
Cook smashes 33rd ton in Tests
Cook also scored his 33rd Test ton of his career. With a century today, he is the only player in the history to score a century and a half-century in his both debut and farewell Tests and that too against the same opposition (India). Cook overtook Steve Waugh (32) in terms of Test centuries and has the tenth highest number of Test tons.
