Alistair Cook – 5th Batsman to Score a Century in his First and Last Test Match

Alistair Cook became 5^th batsman to score a century in his first and last tests. Australian Bill Ponsford and his fellow Reggie Duff, Greg Chappel, and Indian Muhammad Azharuddin are the other four who achieved this unique landmark. However, Bill Ponsford’s record is the unique one, as he actually scored hundreds in his first two and last two tests.

Therefore, coming to the point of batsman who scores the highest score in his final test inning before Alistair Cook? This record is set by West Indies batsman Seymour Nurse against New Zealand at Christchurch in 1968-69. Seymour Nurse scored 258, and he had already announced his intention to retire from cricket. With this beautiful inning and pleas from is, Captain Sir Garry Sobers didn’t change his mind.

Moreover, two other batsmen signed off with a double century in their final innings. Sri Lankan PA de Silva scored 206 against Bangladesh in Colombo in 2002. Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie made 201 not out against Bangladesh in Chittagong in 2005-06. The next comes on England Andy Sandham made 325 & 50 against West Indies in Kingston in 1929-30 and Bill Ponsford (266 for Australia v England at The Oval in 1934) both passed 200 in the first innings of their final Test. 

Also Read: Arif Butt – First Pakistani Bowler Who Took 5 or more Wickets on Test Debut