Captain Cook is happy, but not relieved

Southampton: England skipper Alastair Cook said he was happy that they dominated all the sessions in the third Test. “Happy is the word, not relieved. We pretty much won every single session and that credit to the guys,” Cook said after the match. “It’s a great win, we wanted to get on that wicket first and to get 570 is a great start. We bowled well and batted quickly and knocked em over again,” he added. Troubled by poor form, Cook finally got his bearing right in the third Test as he scored 95 and 70 not out in the first and second innings respectively and the 29-year-old said he had to work really hard on his batting.

 

“I thought my game was heading in the right direction even with 10s and 20s. It was frustrating not to get the hundred, but I’d take what I got,” he said.“Getting back into the ball is vital, I’m pretty good with the short ball. I nick outside off and I had to take care of that. I had to work incredibly hard.” Asked about the contribution of his teammates, especially all-rounder Moeen Ali and wicketkeeper Jos Butler, Cook said: “The team from 1 to 11 have been fantastic. Moeen’s bowling has come on leaps and bounds, credit to him. When you’re bowing behind Ajmal at Worcester and he’s been bowling a lot. Responding really well and on a spinning wicket to get a six-for, can’t really ask for more.

 

“Buttler’s been brilliant with his quick runs and his keeping has been great too. Leader of the attack, Anderson. Got a couple of wickets to set us off and settle nerves.” Cook also thanked the spectators for turning up for the third Test. “It is a fantastic crowd, it was a touch Test (scheduling wise), walking out on Sunday after lunch, the ovation was great.

“It’s been a fantastic week and thank you Southampton.”

 

England pacer James Anderson, who marked his birthday with a five-wicket haul yesterday, said: “Lovely, it was a good day yesterday, We just wanted to finish them off early and get out there and bat again. “I don’t think we lost a session in the game. Fantastic performance through the five days.”