Four years after his retirement from all formats of international cricket, former England cricket team skipper Alastair Cook is still going strong in county cricket. The left-handed batter smashed a ton for Essex in the opening game of the 2022 County Championship season.
Playing his first match since September 2021, Cook opened the innings for Essex in their match against Kent. He stitched up a magnificent 220-run opening stand with his partner Nick Browne. Both openers scored a century for Essex.
While Browne departed to the dressing room after scoring 107 runs off 253 deliveries, Cook played 266 balls for his 100 runs. Jackson Bird stole the show for Kent in the final phase of Day 1. Bird first rattled the stumps of Browne. He then dismissed Cook to end the day with figures of 2/49.
Dan Lawrence had a chance to build on the platform given by Alastair Cook and Browne, but the England team batter got out LBW off Matt Quinn’s bowling after scoring seven runs off 13 balls. Nathan Gilchrist then trapped Jamie Porter in front of his stumps on the second ball of his innings.
Captain Tom Westley is not out in the middle for Essex with 28 runs to his name. Matt Critchley is the other batter. Essex ended with 272/4 at stumps on Day 1.
Twitter reacts to Alastair Cook scoring a hundred in his 1st match of the year
Here’s how cricket fans on Twitter reacted to the impressive performance from Alastair Cook for Essex:
Alastair Cook today registered his 70th First Class century. He retired from international 4 years ago, but still one of the best in domestics.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 7, 2022
Alastair Cook serves up his 70th first-class century as Essex dominate Kent on the first day of the new County Championship season https://t.co/1ruZ7EOENi
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) April 8, 2022
Alastair Cook is still the best opener going in England right now, hundred from 262 balls including 11 fours in the first match of County Championship 2022.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 7, 2022
A strong start to the season for the Chef 👨🍳
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) April 7, 2022
Alastair Cook has his 70th first-class century! pic.twitter.com/mnZe5lwYLK
💯 for Alastair Cook 👨🍳🙌
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) April 7, 2022
It's come from 262 balls and has included 11 fours 💪
Essex are 241-1 with 8 overs here to go on Day One at Chelmsford. pic.twitter.com/NwKzpcE4A7
Currently better than Rory burn
— ✨ (@Legspiner3) April 7, 2022
He would be England's second best batsman after Joe root…
— Soma (@soma_hyd) April 7, 2022
He's not very old. He retired early at the age of 33.
— Sid Nanda 🇮🇳 (@sid_2893) April 7, 2022
He should make a comeback, atleast England would have some hope to win 😂😂
— Namit Desai (@_nomadic_11) April 8, 2022
