English captain Alastair Cook will be looking to dominate the upcoming Ashes like he did in 2010-11, where he scored 766 runs at 127.66, and could be the key to England winning the series.
His 766 runs is the second most by an Englishman in an Ashes series. Only legendary English batsman Walter Hammond’s has more in any series, scoring 905 runs in the 1928-29 Ashes.
Cook’s wicket could be vital if Australia want to reclaim the Ashes after three losing series in a row.
He is already one of the most successful English Test batsmen ever.
Cook has played 97 Test matches to record 7801 runs at 47.85. He is currently sixth in total runs, with current batsman Kevin Pietersen having around 80 more runs than him.
Graham Gooch has the most with 8900 at 42.58. Both Pietersen and Cook could pass Gooch in the next year or so.
Cook is also still 28-years-old and could easily reach well over 10,000 runs by the time he calls stumps on his career.
However it was not smooth sailing for Cook during the latest Ashes series, having a grim home Ashes series by his high standards.
He scored 277 runs at 27.7 and his highest score was just 62.
Some would say he didn’t need to make big scores.
Ian Bell was the best of the batsman in the series, with three hundreds and over 562 runs.
England didn’t dominate the series like the 3-0 score line reflected.
Cook will want to make sure he is scoring big hundreds if they want to beat an enthusiastic and determined Australian line-up.
Cook has already found some form in the Australia. He smashed 154 in the washed out match versus Australia A.
This was not the greatest preparation for either side, with England’s innings taking almost four days to finish.
Cook and likely opening partner Michael Carberry took the opportunity in the sunshine to get some much needed form and show the Australian fans they mean business.
The Australian bowlers will be looking to bang the ball in short to get him out as quickly as possible and also be looking to get an lbw or knick early on in the innings.
Who do you think will score the most runs during the 2013-14 Ashes series?
Francis Curro
Roar Pro
If we pitch it up, we have more chances to get an edge.
Francis Curro
Roar Pro
This is why I think Australian selectors have taken the wrong approach on the warm up matches. Only a few years ago would England come over to WA and lose to the Warriors because they could not combat the pace and bounce. The selectors may have batted Cook, Carberry and Pietersen into form by giving them second string bowling attacks. Some would argue that would make them better, but if England lose they then go down on confidence.
JimmyB
Guest
My bad, bit slow on the uptake today I'm afraid.
ChrisUK
Guest
'Twas a joke Jimmy - read again ;)
JimmyB
Guest
Well not really, because Watson has a decent average against England of 46 or so, but it's predominately made up of him getting 40s and 50s, which whilst consistent, it doesn't win you many matches. There was a time not that long ago, that you could guarantee that Watson would get to 40 against us, but you could equally guarantee that he would get out before he reached 60.
ChrisUK
Guest
A cruel person Jimmy might point out that since Australia have only won 2 of them in the last four years, that's a rather harsh standard to judge him by ;)
ScottUK
Guest
Re Cook seemingly struggling against left-armers. Bear in mind that he's had a lot of exposure to left-armers opening the innings in the last year. ANY opening batsman is likely to snick off at some point!
ChrisUK
Guest
Which is a rather good example of using stats selectively! Put simply, who do you want at the top? Cook or Watson?
JimmyB
Guest
The thing is Ronan, I can't remember any match winning contributions from Watson, even his 176 resulted in a draw.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Well Chris that stat refers to 15 of his 20 Ashes Tests...that is the majority of his Ashes career. He was unbelievable in that one series and in the other three he has consistently averaged around 26 every time. From memory, Watson averages 46 in Ashes Tests compared to Cook's 42.
ChrisUK
Guest
You carry on selecting stats that suit!
Hookin' YT
Guest
Stu Clark, Glen McGrath, Terry Alderman types. http://www.howstat.com.au/cricket/Statistics/Players/PlayerProgressBat.asp?PlayerId=3349&Series=0555
Hookin' YT
Guest
Thats why you need tight bowlers. Johnson will blow it and badly.
Showbags
Guest
I wouldn't say he likes fast decks. He likes short garbage which he was served an abundance of in 2010-11. In 2006-07 we pitched the ball up to him and found him out a bit. We also did this in 2013 in England. If we do the same this time around I'm confident we can keep him quiet.
brother mouzone
Guest
gotta have the bowtie!!
Nudge
Guest
Can't disagree with that Tim
James
Guest
maybe an anomaly in his ashes career but only slightly above form in the last couple of years.
Tim
Guest
Yes Nudge, if i was offering a tote, these would be the odds 2/7 on- 'Gump' playing Cook into form 25/1- 'Gump' breaking Cook’s finger
Tim
Guest
Hookin' YT
Guest
He likes faster decks thats for sure. In 2005/6 he was just a kid and Stu Clark and McGrath pitched the ball up with just a hint of movement late off the seam and not quick. Is Johnson going to bowl ball after ball into the avenue of apprehension with a hint of movement either way?