Alastair Cook and David Warner: two Test maestros playing to a different beat | Jason Gillespie

Dec 31, 2017

Cook’s 244 not out in Melbourne underlined his status as a great of the game, just as Warner’s versatility showed there is no one-size-fits-all route to success

Cricket is a sport of wonderful contrasts and during the Melbourne Test we saw the beauty of this in Alastair Cook and David Warner. Here are two champions who are performing the same job for their team and yet could not be more different in terms of personality or the way they go about their business. “Finding a way” is a very good coaching phrase in cricket. It denotes the individuality of this team sport. There is no one-size-fits-all route to success, rather a unique path that each player must take to get the best out of themselves. What works for you is the key. And the two openers I mention, who both put on fine shows at the MCG, are very good examples of this.

Cook’s unbeaten 244 over nearly 11 hours at the crease was a classic of his genre. He was the first to admit an innings like this should have come sooner in this Ashes tour. But as a firm believer in the primacy of each Test match and there being no dead-rubbers, I take issue with anyone who saw the series scoreline as somehow detracting from his efforts here.

Tags: Alastair Cook Ashes 2017-18 Australia cricket team Australia sport Cricket David Warner England cricket team Sport The Ashes