VIDEO | James Anderson breaks into tears bidding farewell to “best mate” Cook
getty
“What is sport without emotions” - tweeted journalist Boria Majumdar when James Anderson and Joe Root literally jumped off their chairs to celebrate Alastair Cook’s century. And today, Anderson, during an interview with Sky, almost broke down into tears when he was asked about Cook’s retirement.
It was a glorious era in English cricket that was heralded by the duo who saw numerous highs and lows together. Starting from England being a Test superpower in 2008-09 to winning T20 cricket World Cup, starting from reaching the nadir as far as the team performance goes, or to winning THAT Ashes series Down Under in 2010-11, the duo had been at the
And as Cook brought the curtains down on his glorious career with a performance of guts and glory, Anderson decided to gift his mate one fine farewell gift as he overcame Glenn McGrath in the wickets tally to become the highest Test wicket-taker among the pacers when he dismissed Mohammed Shami with a good length ball that nipped back into the right-hander.
It was an ecstatic moment, not only for him but also for the entire English cricket team as they went on to register the victory. But that was hardly in anyone’s mind as Jimmy was at the pinnacle now - THE BEST PACER TO HAVE GRACED THE GAME OF CRICKET.Â
In the moment of glory, people often overlook others and try to hog the limelight. But Jimmy was not among the one and was just plain happy that he had reached the milestone with his “best mate” Cook on the field. When Mike Atherton interviewed him for Sky Sports, Anderson broke down in tears and was emotional for Cook’s farewell.
“Happy to see that Cookie was on the field to see that wicket. My job was to hold an end. I was going through good rhythm and thankfully Joe let me take the new ball. And eventually, it gave me half-a-chance to get that wicket. On Cook, yes, he is my best mate and I am going to miss him. He has been brilliant and has been there for me all the time.”
The camaraderie was just very hard to miss. And the world is going to miss the duo playing two different act in the same match and that will not be that easy to watch.
