Joe Root pleased with the way Alastair Cook play his last innings in international cricket
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After the last international game of Alastair Cook, English skipper Joe Root has stated that he is pleased seeing the former captain retiring in real style. Root has also mentioned that he is satisfied with the way the English lower order batsmen have contributed in the series against India.
England finished the home series against India by winning it 4-1 as they defeatedĀ the hosts in the last Test by a margin of 118 runs. England already had the series in their pocket after winning the fourth Test and the last win turned out to be a fitting tribute to the most successful English Test batsman, who was playing his last international game. Cook was adjudged Man of the Match for his half-century in the first and a ton in the second innings.
"There have been a few times this week when I've asked if he's sure. I'm just so pleased he can go out in real style. For it to finish how it has, is pretty special," Root told the media after the Oval Test.
Although the Indian bowlers did well in picking up wickets,Ā the lower order showed good resistance and that helped the team recover many times in the five-match Test series. Sam Curran and Adil Rashid scored theĀ bulk of the runs for England and Chris Woakes also hit a fine century at Lord's to guide them to victory. And this propelled Root toĀ state that the team is on an upward curve now and they are looking forward to achieving success in this winter as well.
"Of course you want to maximise your runs at the top of the order. You want to get off to good starts but we've made up for that in other areas. We've been very smart down the order. Guys have stood up and taken that opportunity and made sure we got to totals to give us a chance of winning," the English captain explained.
"I think we are on an upward curve. I do think we've shown a lot of improvement this summer. When we've had tough days and tough games, we've responded to that. We are going to have some difficult challenges ahead. This winter is going to pose a lot of different challenges to playing in these conditions but that presents a great opportunity for us to show some growth as a team."
Although they had already won the series,Ā the English cricketers left no stone unturned to end the series on a high.
"It's huge for the group. Having already won the series, it's something we've got wrong in the past. The lads have delivered this week. They've been really outstanding in all departments, " said Root.
"Everyone played a significant part and that's what's been really pleasing. Hopefully, now we can kick on. We are going to have different challenges in the winter. We know where we want to get to and that we are not the perfect side but if we can continue with the same drive and attitude, then we've got every chance of getting right to the top."
Root also spoke about James Anderson, who went past Glen McGrath to become the highest wicket-taker as a seamer. Anderson now has 564 Test wickets to his name and well on course to cross the 600-wicket barrier as well.
"What Jimmy has achieved and what he is capable of achieving still is astounding. For him to have taken as many wickets as he has, chasing the big two spinners, is a phenomenal effort. He's probably bowling at his best. Throughout this summer, he's been outstanding.
"I said it was written in the stars and for it to turn out as it has, it's fairytale stuff for Alastair to go out like that and Jimmy at the end. For those two guys, who are two really close mates, they're going to miss playing together. It will be different with him not being there but it does create an opportunity for someone else now."
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