Cook relieved by season start

13 April 2007

Alastair Cook © Getty Images

England batsman Alastair Cook opened the summer with a brilliant century for MCC against Sussex and then declared: “It’s like getting a monkey off your back.”

Cook scored 142 at Lord’s and built hundred partnerships with Owais Shah (47) and Alex Loudon (53) as MCC posted a first day total of 332 for six.

Cook, who is captaining MCC, said: “James Kirtley bowled beautifully, especially down the slope, but I was lucky enough to get through it and then make hay.

“It is like a monkey off your back to get a hundred. Everyone wants to get their first hundred in any form of cricket and it is nice to do it first time up.

“Getting to 10 or 15 is the hard part. I kept getting 15s in Australia so it is nice that, when you do get in, you score big.

“It gives you confidence that that the things you have been working on through February and March are working and it bodes well.”

With Michael Vaughan fit again and Marcus Trescothick pushing for an international recall, competition for batting places in the England side this summer promises to be fierce.

But Cook laid down a timely reminder that he is the incumbent England Test opener as he struck 18 fours and a six in a fluid innings today.

MCC lost Nick Compton to Kirtley in the opening over but recovered well as Cook raced to a 66-ball half-century and Shah opened up to reach 47 after a cautious beginning.

The pair put on 132 for the second wicket before Shah pushed forward to a teasing outswinger from Kirtley and was caught behind.

Cook and Loudon then put on 115 before Sussex briefly pegged the MCC back to 260 for five by taking three wickets for 13 runs.

Cook fell caught behind as he chased a wide one from Luke Wright but Alex Gidman rattled up a quick 35 and Steve Davies finished the day unbeaten on 29.

Kirtley and Robin Martin-Jenkins were the pick of the Sussex attack, claiming two wickets apiece as they got the ball to move away down the Lord’s slope.

But Cook has England pacemen Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison in his armoury and is looking forward to unleashing them.

“The wicket is still doing a bit so I am looking forward to Hoggy and Harmy bowling well and Graham Onions has looked good in the nets.”