With the much-anticipated Ashes series just around the corner, England Test captain Alastair Cook has credited Graham Gooch for his recent good run of form with the bat.
SEE ALSO:
Ashes 2015: Australia coach Darren Lehmann expects tough England challenge following Trevor Bayliss appointment
Kevin Pietersen ruled out of England contention despite hitting triple century for Surrey
Steve Waugh: England must move on from Kevin Pietersen
Cook was superb in England’s inspiring first Test win over New Zealand, notching up 162 and the Three Lions defeated the Black Caps by 124 runs at Lord’s.
The 30-year-old now needs just 34 runs to surpass Gooch’s England Test runs record of 8,900, however Cook was quick to point out that he did not believe he was in the same class as the former Test captain.
“I wouldn’t put myself anywhere near in his class but it would be a great moment,” Cook is quoted as saying by AFP.
Gooch was sacked as England batting coach in May last year, but Cook says he has remained in contact with him and continually asked for advice.
“I wouldn’t be here, or anywhere near here, without Goochie’s help, so it will be slightly strange if I do go past his record because without his hard work and dedication to me and my game, I wouldn’t have scored half the runs I would have done,” Cook said.
England begin its second and final Test against New Zealand on Friday at Headingley in what is the side’s last red ball tune-up before the Ashes series begins in July.
COMMENTS