OB Alastair Cook CBE (98-03) will go down as England’s greatest-ever batsman when he retires from Test cricket at the end of this summer. He will do so having scored more runs, more centuries and more half-centuries than any other player from these shores in history. He is also England’s most-capped player in Test matches.
Alastair Cook, who joined Bedford School as a Music Scholar from St Paul’s Cathedral School where he was a chorister, announced his retirement on Monday 3 September 2018. Here are just some of his incredible achievements:
- Captain for 161 Tests – more than any other England Captain.
- Ashes victories in 2009, 2010-11, and as Captain in 2013 and 2015.
- Captain for 92 One Day Internationals – another England record.
- First player to score a century at every Australian Test ground: 116 Perth 2006, 235* Brisbane 2010, 148 Adelaide 2010, 189 Sydney 2011 and 244* Melbourne 2017
- Youngest player (from any country) to score 7,000, 8,000, 9,000, 10,000 and 11,000 runs in Test cricket.
- Youngest Englishman to score 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 5,000 and 6,000 Test runs.
- Most Test centuries by England skipper, surpassing Graham Gooch’s record of 11.
- England’s most capped player in Tests, surpassing Alec Stewart’s record of 134.
- First England cricketer to be involved in 50 Test wins.
- Most Test runs for England (broke the record at 8,901 runs).
- First captain worldwide to score a century in first five Tests.
- Most Test centuries for England (broke the record at 23 centuries).
- England’s record partnership in Australia, world record partnership and innings at The Gabba (329 with Jonathan Trott, 235 not out).
- Only Englishman (second worldwide) to score 1,000 runs in maiden year.
Alastair has been, and continues to be, a true inspiration to everyone at Bedford School. He is, without doubt, a shining example of true sportsmanship, great leadership, personal fortitude and conviction. We are so proud of him and all that he has achieved.