Five Greatest Moments of Alastair Cook's Career

#1 Swansong

Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 5

An early bloomer, mainstay, the reliable man, the "captain", the "leader", Cook had seen an upward trajectory all career but when on-field results started flattering lesser and lesser, true to his characteristic humble self, he handed on the role to Joe Root. It was fitting as Root was the one player Cook had groomed right from his early captaincy days.

Back to square one in the hierarchy, Cook's place in the side became more questioned than ever, especially in the wake of England having relinquished the urn in just three Tests in the 2017/18 Ashes.

At the daunting turf of MCG, England were left with the task of salvaging pride against the bunch of prowling Aussies. Trailing by 327 in the first innings, Cook dug in.

He dug in deep.

He transcended the self-demolition in the Summer of Johnson in 2013/14, submission to Sri Lankan bowlers in 2015, the torments of UAE over six Tests, the red-faced departure from India in 2016, and dug in.

He caressed the pace of Pat Cummins with all his 150 Tests of experience in his deft touches, he manhandled Jackson Bird like he did in years of supposedly bygone glory, he frustrated Nathan Lyon into bowling shorter lengths and toyed around with Josh Hazlewood as if facing a second XI bowler of his county.

Had the English side not been dismissed, one of the best resurgence stories in modern day cricket wouldn't have ended, as Cook never got out.

He finished with 244, carrying the bat, a record high score for such an instance and gave England their best result of the series, a draw when everyone had given up on him.