I’ve never been a pretty cricketer – Stephen Cook

If relief had a face, it would be that of Stephen Cook. The South Africa opener scored the second hundred of his six-Test career – which sounds pretty decent if you think about it – under immense pressure, as he sought to prove his worth in Australia. He can leave knowing that he succeeded. 

Cook was the last man out in South Africa’s second innings in Adelaide, as he made 104 out of a total of 250, having batted for over six hours. He helped South Africa set a target of 127, which Australia chased down with seven wickets to spare.

“I’ve had a tough time the last couple of weeks, that’s plain and obvious to say,” Cook said after the day-night Test ended. “Before the series I knew things were going to be tough. I knew the Aussies had a good bowling line-up. And I got tested. By hook or by crook, I suppose – by hook or by Cook- I managed to come through.”

With scores of 0, 12, 23, 11 and 40 in the previous five innings on the tour, and growing uncertainty with his footwork, Cook faced severe criticism over his technique. He spent some sessions with long-time team-mate and current South Africa batting coach Neil McKenzie working on his trigger movement but admitted he never intended to change his entire approach, especially it had served him so well for the best part of …

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