Can Alastair Cook break Sachin Tendulkar's record for most Test runs?

[TheNightWatchman]

Now before anyone calls me crazy hear me out. This wasn't brought to my attention until I read an article on cricinfo.
Alastair Cook has most recently become the leading test run scorer for England. He has scored 8944 runs in 113 matches at an average of 47 and he is just 56 away from 9000.
It is a remarkable achievment on it's own but what is even more remarkable is that his test career has spanned just 9 years. Where as Tendulkar managed to reach 9000 runs in 14. (If Cook gets to 9000 runs this year he will be the fastest to do so in terms of time taken beating Dravid's 10).
Alastair Cook is just 30 (SRT was also almost the same age when he reached 9000). If Cook is to stay fit (he is probably one of the fittest members in the English squad) and play for another 6 or 7 years he could come very close to the record.
And considering the rate at which England play test cricket it is very much possible.
113 matches in 9 years-
Putting that into perspective---
YK has played 98 tests in his 15 year career
Graham Gooch( The player he surpassed yesterday) played 118 in 20 years
Tendulkar has played 200 in 24 years
It is near impossible to match Sachin's longevity but at this rate Cook might possibly be playing his 200th test by the time he is 37. Still a long way to go and many factors will contribute to his playing days. But I believe Cook is the only real threat to the record if there ever was one.

 

[Haroon786]

Put it this way, if he plays 200 Test matches, he will get the record.

 

[TheNightWatchman]

Put it this way, if he plays 200 Test matches, he will get the record.

I can see that happening 6 or 7 years from now. He is captain too which puts him in a very secure spot too

 

[Haroon786]

Yep.

 

[Belawal2014]

Too far away to tell.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Its very much possible considering the amount of tests England play in modern era.

According to cricinfo,

Cook has batted in 202 innings and scored 8869 runs.

43 runs per innings (not average but runs per innings).

SRT has batted for 329 innings and scored 15,921 runs.

48 runs per innings.

As a opener, Cook has both advantage and disadvantage in this case.

Disadvantage is he gets to face the new ball (opening is the hardest position to bat in Tests).

Advantage is that he would get a better shot at playing more balls than a No 4 guy (talking about 3rd or 4th innings or games where England chases a small target or so).

Cook has to either increase his runs per innings dramatically or play a lot more Tests than SRT to achieve this record.

The latter case is definitely possible IF Cook lasts. The problem with England batsmen is that they don't go well in the late 30s which is needed here. But Cook could be an exception. You never know.

Cook also has to account for the big slump towards the end which kills off the average of batsman which would make the goal harder and harder towards the end. Ponting and SRT averages went down quite a bit due to that in their last few years.

It would be interesting to see how it pans out.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

The advantage of opening was with respect to the current comparison of run aggregate.

In general opening is a more disadvantageous position than No 4.

 

[cricket.mad]

Cook is already 7 average runs per innings behind sachin..i dont think its a possibility

 

[Zeshan547]

It all depend on his form from now on, cook of pre 2012 can easily smack this record but cook of post 2012 stand no chance, he looks as if he has turned the corner in this series as far his form is concern, but let's see is it just this series or real turn around.

 

[Buffet]

He can play 220-230 Tests and get those runs/tons. Eng plays lots of Tests cricket.

 

[shaz619]

It's not likely because England Cricketers tend to go out while they are able to perform before it gets to a stage where they fail to deliver and hang around longer then they need to. We've seen internationals continue past their best, I guess at times it's justified but with England internationals if they feel they're unable to give 100% or deliver at their trademark best they'll go. They also really value spending time with their family, mental health etc so goals such as leading run scorer are not so important in comparison nor is playing for various records instead of helping England win at your absolute best.

Having said that, Cook still has a good chance of getting close to SRT's tally.

 

[Suleiman]

Cook plays for the team, not personal records

 

[Sachin136]

Cook has had a couple of terrible series already and I assume that inconsistency will increase as he goes up in age. I don't see him coming close to Sachin's run tally or centuries record, but I hope (and expect) that he will end up with an average over 50.

 

[Slog]

No.

that much has been settled because we know Cook will have an alarming form slump ever 2-3 years.

it was a possibility when looking at this question 2 years ago but def not now

 

[Sachin136]

Cook plays for the team, not personal records

I know you're just baiting, but there is no difference between both in tests. In ODIs you can say that batting slowly for records is selfish, but there is no such thing in tests (and Cook is terrible in ODIs anyway). If you get runs, you are playing for your team in tests (unless you don't declare for personal records which is unlikely to happen since Cook is an opener and generally won't play until it is time to declare).

 

[Chrish]

He certainly has an opportunity given the number of Tests England plays.. I will be honest I find his batting boring but that doesn't take away from the contribution has has made toward the success of his team. A class batsman who has scored on every surface of this planet.

 

[shaz619]

It's not likely because England Cricketers tend to go out while they are able to perform before it gets to a stage where they fail to deliver and hang around longer then they need to. We've seen internationals continue past their best, I guess at times it's justified but with England internationals if they feel they're unable to give 100% or deliver at their trademark best they'll go. They also really value spending time with their family, mental health etc so goals such as leading run scorer are not so important in comparison nor is playing for various records instead of helping England win at your absolute best.

Having said that, Cook still has a good chance of getting close to SRT's tally.

Don't forget to read that bit in the post guys! heheheheh

 

[cricketindiafan]

Irrespective of his personal form, Cook's two Ashes series losses away from losing his test spot. And there's every chance that may happen within the next 2-3 years.

So the answer is No.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Irrespective of his personal form, Cook's two Ashes series losses away from losing his test spot. And there's every chance that may happen within the next 2-3 years.

So the answer is No.

What if he does well but England loses Ashes?

 

[Neferpitou]

I don't think so. He'll run out of gas before that and I don't think he'll last any longer than 35.

 

[Cricket_Fan93]

Lol keep dreaming Pakistan fans.

The record will never break, if it does it will be done by another Indian.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Lol keep dreaming Pakistan fans.

The record will never break, if it does it will be done by another Indian.

lol...

OP is a big Tendulkar fan.

 

[shaz619]

To be honest Tendulkar is Like the Hulk Hogan of international cricket, his record and legacy are immortal. They will live forever.

If the record is ever broken; All of the Pakistani Ppers are going to be like this:
[MENTION=47617]Red Devil[/MENTION]

 

[Acricketfan]

I won't mind ABD breaking Sachin's record. But Cook ? No way on earth. The guy puts me to sleep whenever he is batting. zzzzzz

 

[UpInTheAir]

I think the pitches where they played the majority of their cricket should be taken into account too.

 

[Sachin136]

It's not likely because England Cricketers tend to go out while they are able to perform before it gets to a stage where they fail to deliver and hang around longer then they need to. We've seen internationals continue past their best, I guess at times it's justified but with England internationals if they feel they're unable to give 100% or deliver at their trademark best they'll go. They also really value spending time with their family, mental health etc so goals such as leading run scorer are not so important in comparison nor is playing for various records instead of helping England win at your absolute best.

Having said that, Cook still has a good chance of getting close to SRT's tally.

So scoring runs doesn't mean helping England win? I don't know how that works.

Anyway England has kept several players past their prime, and several have been removed in their prime. It works both ways and it is similar to the situation in most places. The mentality of England selectors won't have much of an effect on his run tally.

 

[cricketindiafan]

What if he does well but England loses Ashes?

He will most likely lose captaincy to Root and post that should play on for not more than an year or so. He would be 33-34 with nearly 150 test matches. Would have got most English records by then.

 

[angrypathan]

It's possible, but I don't consider it likely

 

[WrexEverything]

Possible. But maintaining form for that long isn't going to be easy.

 

[Justcrazy]

Cook will at least come very close to that record.

 

[Snow]

I hope he does.

 

[cricjunkie2]

LOL at the naivety of some of the posts. Players careers are never linear. Very few sustain their performances as they sunset their careers. Cook will struggle to score 11000 runs @ 45. He will retire with approx 35 100's. You heard it here first.

 

[James]

It's not likely because England Cricketers tend to go out while they are able to perform before it gets to a stage where they fail to deliver and hang around longer then they need to. We've seen internationals continue past their best, I guess at times it's justified but with England internationals if they feel they're unable to give 100% or deliver at their trademark best they'll go. They also really value spending time with their family, mental health etc so goals such as leading run scorer are not so important in comparison nor is playing for various records instead of helping England win at your absolute best.

Having said that, Cook still has a good chance of getting close to SRT's tally.

This.

I don't think England fans really care about this individual records business. All we want to see is the team winning matches.

 

[cricketAXEpert]

Now before anyone calls me crazy hear me out. This wasn't brought to my attention until I read an article on cricinfo.
Alastair Cook has most recently become the leading test run scorer for England. He has scored 8944 runs in 113 matches at an average of 47 and he is just 56 away from 9000.
It is a remarkable achievment on it's own but what is even more remarkable is that his test career has spanned just 9 years. Where as Tendulkar managed to reach 9000 runs in 14. (If Cook gets to 9000 runs this year he will be the fastest to do so in terms of time taken beating Dravid's 10).
Alastair Cook is just 30 (SRT was also almost the same age when he reached 9000). If Cook is to stay fit (he is probably one of the fittest members in the English squad) and play for another 6 or 7 years he could come very close to the record.
And considering the rate at which England play test cricket it is very much possible.
113 matches in 9 years-
Putting that into perspective---
YK has played 98 tests in his 15 year career
Graham Gooch( The player he surpassed yesterday) played 118 in 20 years
Tendulkar has played 200 in 24 years
It is near impossible to match Sachin's longevity but at this rate Cook might possibly be playing his 200th test by the time he is 37. Still a long way to go and many factors will contribute to his playing days. But I believe Cook is the only real threat to the record if there ever was one.

Depends on which record, there is a good chance that he can get 200 tests and the 15921 runs that Tendulkar scored in Tests. But Scoring 51 test centuries that will be hard & there is no chance that Cook can score the 100 international centuries (as he is not playing ODI s or T-20 but that was not a genuine record as you can't add ODI s into Tests). But having a desire to play that long is the question. I think Cook is going to retire as a Captain in about 4 years. Don't think England is going to keep the same captain for the next 7 years. And I don't think the English care that much about stats and records.

 

[Scrolln]

No, he's not good enough.

 

[Diffusion]

I hope not. Would be a bigger travesty than Klose getting the WC record from Ronaldo.

If it is to go, you'd hope it's to someone more worthy like an AB or an Amla.

 

[#GreenRoars]

before 2 years it was a chance. but NOW, don't think so.

 

[Random Aussie]

The only SRT record he might break is the one for playing in the most losses.

 

[leg-side-flick]

The only SRT record he might break is the one for playing in the most losses.

Lol... Does Sachin have that record as well

 

[Cricfan4eva]

He needs to survive the series vs SA at home though. Lol

 

[cricketindiafan]

The only SRT record he might break is the one for playing in the most losses.

Chanderpaul has that record sealed forever in tests

 

[Scrolln]

He needs to survive the series vs SA at home though. Lol

When do SA tour England next?

 

[Random Aussie]

Chanderpaul has that record sealed forever in tests

But Tendy has the most international losses I believe.

 

[cricketindiafan]

But Tendy has the most international losses I believe.

Yep and it will take a monumental effort for anyone to break that record of his.

 

[London_Lahori]

England play so much test cricket, you just never know. Looks like Cook will play 200 tests, he is very fit but his form of the last couple of years has held him back.

If he gets back to his form of late 2010-2012 then he has a chance.

 

[Sandeep]

Yes, in his dreams.

 

[London_Lahori]

He's also very rarely injured.

 

[Acricketfan]

But Tendy has the most international losses I believe.

No

 

[Robert]

I don't think Chef can do it. He'll have to get 1000 runs a year until he is 36.

He might end on 12,000 or 13,000 test runs.

 

[Captain_Obvious]

The OP is such an ignorant and deluded individual

Can Alistair Cook break Tendulkar's record ?
WTH ??? He already has ........ And so have countless others














.......in T20 Internationals

SRT :
Matches - 1
Runs - 10
Avg - 10
S/R - 83

Cook :
Matches - 4
Runs - 61
Avg - 15
S/R - 112

 

[leg-side-flick]

On topic, Cook can break the record but he won't

 

[TheNightWatchman]

Alistair Cook is now the leading run scorer of 2015. At this rate he might actually do it.

 

[Sidilicious]

He only plays tests, so I reckon he could play for another 7 years. With 6500 to get in 7 years is quite a huge possibility. Only needs a couple of outstanding years to be able to achieve that.

 

[TheNightWatchman]

If he plays on chapati pitches like this, he'll do it easily

 

[hussain123]

On topic, Cook can break the record but he won't

Exactly, if there is any player who has more than a chance of breaking it, it is him.however, it is seemingly improbable looking at which position he bats, the conditions he plays in most of the time and the average retirement age in England. However, apparently he is a classy gentleman, and I wish he makes it.

 

[TheNightWatchman]

Exactly, if there is any player who has more than a chance of breaking it, it is him.however, it is seemingly improbable looking at which position he bats, the conditions he plays in most of the time and the average retirement age in England. However, apparently he is a classy gentleman, and I wish he makes it.

Tell that to Gooch or Stewart. As long as he stays fit, he'll play for another 5-6 years at least.

 

[TheNightWatchman]

Same conversation going on on cricinfo

 

[Mobashir]

The real question is, if Cook beat Tendulkar record by a short margin, will Tendulkar make a comeback to play again?!!!!

 

[Mobashir]

If he plays on chapati pitches like this, he'll do it easily

The problem for Cook is that with age it becomes more and more difficult to play swing and bounce.
He is opening the innings so after 25 he will not score many as an opener in England and if Australian pitches become good cricket pitches again he will also strugle in Australia.

Playing in UAE, India more will make thigs easier for him.

 

[hussain123]

Tell that to Gooch or Stewart. As long as he stays fit, he'll play for another 5-6 years at least.

5 to 6 years won't be enough, man.however, you never know when he hits an extended purple patch.

 

[Hawkeye]

Very underrated, I didn't realize he's going that good!

Can definitely do it, and he will.

 

[TheNightWatchman]

5 to 6 years won't be enough, man.however, you never know when he hits an extended purple patch.

He is approximately 6500 runs behind SRT. You have to take into account the rate at which England play test cricket. (Look at my original post.) . Add that to the fact that he doesn't play ODIs or T20s, so longevity is not a problem either.

 

[Pantani]

He's got the best shot of any current international, but I don't think he'll quite get there.

 

[TheNightWatchman]

[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] I am in need of your insightful comments. Is it possible?

 

[hussain123]

He is approximately 6500 runs behind SRT. You have to take into account the rate at which England play test cricket. (Look at my original post.) . Add that to the fact that he doesn't play ODIs or T20s, so longevity is not a problem either.

Bulk of those matches would be played in Australia and english conditions where if you hit a rough patch,it stucks to you for a considerable period.if he has to cross Tendulkar's record, he has to be around the top run getters for next5to 6 years which doesn't seem very likely.

 

[Justcrazy]

He will get opportunity to score as opener , but needs to make it count when he gets in.

 

[Mamoon]

[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] I am in need of your insightful comments. Is it possible?

Theoretically, it is very much possible, but we have to take into consideration that English players don't linger on past their sell-by date. Players like Strauss, Trott, Swann, Pietersen (different reasons though), Prior etc. could have played for a few more years but didn't.

It is obvious that chasing records is not something appreciable in the English cricketing culture. However, with Cook, the situation is a little different - England are badly struggling to find a quality opening partner for him and if the situation does not change for the next 2-3 years, he will most likely play till 36-37, and if he does that he will definitely run his record close.

What cannot be disputed however, is that he's ridiculously underrated - people don't talk mention him when they talk about the best Test batsman in the world, but he's right up there - yes he has cashed in against weak bowling and easy conditions, but who hasn't?

His record is absolutely phenomenal, and even without stats when you watch him play he is a very organized opener. The way he leaves the ball, his discipline. Top notch. Its laughable when people say Warner is a better Test opener.

His adaptability is also remarkable, he has tons in every country and his performance in India was legendary. He became an England great before the age of 30 and I have no doubt in my mind that he will be an ATG by the time he hangs his boots.

 

[Bilal7]

Cook will never be an ATG according to one school of thought since he's never "dominated" pacers or spinners, medium-pace trundlers or even part-timers.

Actually, never mind, that ridiculous criteria is seldom applied with consistency.

 

[Friend786]

I hope he doesn't imao. Don't get me wrong , Cook's record is phenomenal but there is something about him that doesn't strike me as one of the greats. He doesn't seems to dominate bowlers even when he is completely set , to me he comes across as a limited batsman.

 

[Mamoon]

Someone clearly missed 2010/2011 Ashes and 2012 tour of India. Cook is well on his way to be an ATG. period.

Besides, you cannot compare an opener to a middle-order batsman. An opener has it much tougher; he has to negotiate the new ball from the first ball, unlike certain number 4s who come in when the ball is semi-new and still chicken out against pace.

Azhar is the one in our team who faces the music and does extremely well, especially since he's out there early on because one of our openers generally perishes in the first five overs.

Our legendary number 4 certainly owes Azhar a lot for batting at 3 in the last 5 years, while his game against pace regressed.

 

[Mamoon]

I hope he doesn't imao. Don't get me wrong , Cook's record is phenomenal but there is something about him that doesn't strike me as one of the greats. He doesn't seems to dominate bowlers even when he is completely set , to me he comes across as a limited batsman.

He is a limited batsman no doubt, and that is exhibited by his mediocre ODI career. However, the most credible criteria of greatness is how you compare to your peers.

Cook is miles above any other Test opener of the last 10 years other than Smith, so he is definitely a great. Before someone mentions Warner, no doubt he's good, but he cannot occupy the crease for long periods of time and has shown less adaptability than Cook.

 

[Mamoon]

Younis is at best the 4th best middle-order batsman of his generation: Sangakkara, Amla and de Villiers are better (their order is debatable, but their standing is not). Hence, Younis will not be counted among the greats.

Cook is the best opener of his generation, and he will end up as a great.

Sangakkara has retired as an all-time great for precisely the same reason - best middle-order batsman of his generation.


* The line between top-order and middle-order is often blurred, that is why I personally like to divide batsmen into openers, middle-order and lower order: Openers are openers of course, middle-order (3/4/5) and lower-order (5/6/7).

Top-order can be used as a general term for (1/2/3), but it's better to be more precise about it.

 

[Cricket lover 27]

Someone clearly missed 2010/2011 Ashes and 2012 tour of India. Cook is well on his way to be an ATG. period.

Besides, you cannot compare an opener to a middle-order batsman. An opener has it much tougher; he has to negotiate the new ball from the first ball, unlike certain number 4s who come in when the ball is semi-new and still chicken out against pace.

Azhar is the one in our team who faces the music and does extremely well, especially since he's out there early on because one of our openers generally perishes in the first five overs.

Our legendary number 4 certainly owes Azhar a lot for batting at 3 in the last 5 years, while his game against pace regressed.

Pretty harsh on Younis if he was afraid to open he would not have taken that role in world cup granted he failed but still he opened.

Anyways many a times our opener and Azhar both get out and he has to come early prime example 3rd test against SRL.

 

[Mamoon]

Pretty harsh on Younis if he was afraid to open he would not have taken that role in world cup granted he failed but still he opened.

Anyways many a times our opener and Azhar both get out and he has to come early prime example 3rd test against SRL.

Opening in ODIs is different, but he was made to look like a complete amateur by an 88 mph Shami bouncer. Summed his ability to play pace.

I'm afraid we will see more of that next year in Australia.

IMO Younis won't excel as a Test opener, but Azhar will.

 

[Mamoon]

^ Besides, both of our senior citizens have conveniently chosen #4 and #5 for themselves, which are the easiest positions to bat in Tests, while making the less experienced Azhar and Asad play at 3 and 6 which are tougher slots. Play them at #3 and #4 and their averages will rise.

Younis like Inzamam and MoYo, does not have the heart to play #3. All three of them ran away from the new ball as soon as they could play the seniority card.

MoYo threw Younis into the deep end, and Younis did the same with Azhar. Hopefully, Azhar won't follow in the same footsteps and will either bat at 3 or open when he becomes captain.

 

[Cricket lover 27]

Opening in ODIs is different, but he was made to look like a complete amateur by an 88 mph Shami bouncer. Summed his ability to play pace.

I'm afraid we will see more of that next year in Australia.

IMO Younis won't excel as a Test opener, but Azhar will.

My argument was not based on his ability but your claim he is afraid to open or come one down.

Anyways given that our Test Team batting positions are very rigid and I hardly see any innovations in it even when the situation demands it it's pretty much probable that it may be not his decision but the management to bat him at 4.

And of course at this age Younis can't open.

 

[Bilal7]

Lol, the desperation to not sound like a hypocrite is strong in this thread.

Cook has never dominated pace-bowling or spin-bowling, unlike a Younis Khan who regularly owns spinners that are well-respected in their home countries. Yes, he has a tougher job since he opens the batting and credit where it's due, he's great at his job and is the best opener of this generation. That does not make him a better batsman than Younis Khan, who by the way, has batted at #3 for a period of time to great effect.

Another ridiculous criteria is being introduced by separating middle-order and opening batsmen. The divide has generally been between the top order, which includes the #3 batsmen and the middle-order. Going by this, Cook is at best, the third-best top-order batsman of his era, behind Amla and Sangakarra. The divide between those two and Cook is substantial to boot.

This however, is rarely considered when the majority of the cricket world rates players. Matthew Hayden was probably the best opener of his time but who would rate him ahead of any one of Ponting, Lara or Sachin as a test batsman? Hafeez has arguably, been Pakistan's best opener in the last five or six years, yet who would rate him ahead of Asad or Azhar as a test batsman?

I do think that Cook will end up as an ATG, since I'm not a hypocrite, nor a hipster and won't change the goal-posts depending on the player I've assessing. Younis Khan is a better batsman though and is a surefire ATG.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Anybody ?
What are Younis Khan's stats at number 3 in test cricket from 2000 to 2010 ?

 

[Bilal7]

Did Ponting also hide down at #4 towards the end of his career? Was Sachin playing hide and seek his entire career? It is easier to bat at #4 and #5 as far as facing the pacers is concerned but unless the batsman in question hasn't shown the ability to play the new-ball well, it is silly to say that they were hiding there. Younis averages 50+ at #3 so he was certainly not hiding.

With regards to playing spin and reverse-swing, #4 and #5 are the harder positions to bat at than the top-order.

 

[_Salman_]

Anybody ?
What are Younis Khan's stats at number 3 in test cricket from 2000 to 2010 ?

Edit: its a bit small so this should work:

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...0;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batting