Johannesburg - Stephen Cook admits there is no razzmatazz involved when it comes to how he scores his runs, but what he lacks in style he makes up for with plenty of substance.
That is a quality desperately needed by a South African team that’s currently in the doldrums following a seven-wicket loss to England at the Wanderers that sealed the Sunfoil Test series for the tourists.
Cook was finally called up to the national Test side yesterday for the final Test in Centurion, starting on Friday.
Although the series is lost, Cook sees a valuable opportunity to lay a foundation to help turn around the team’s fortunes.
“I got the call (yesterday) morning. It was some of the best news I could have hoped to receive on a Monday morning. I’m just ecstatic. It’s almost surreal because I’ve played that moment over and over in mind. I’ve dreamed of it since I was a kid when I watched by dad from the embankment at the Wanderers,” the 33 year old said yesterday.
Cook’s father, Jimmy, was one of the country’s most prodigious batsmen during the isolation era and a vital component of the old Transvaal ‘Mean machine’ that dominated the domestic circuit during the 1970s and 80s. Cook senior played three Tests in 1992 and 1993.
Stephen Cook’s call-up is a long time coming, and as a result there will be added pressure on him should he play at SuperSport Park.
“It’s Test cricket, there’s plenty of pressure, but I guess there will be more pressure now that (my selection) has been built up so much,” he says.
“I’ve been dealing with pressure for most of my career, whether that be because I’m Jimmy Cook’s son, or that I’m considered too old … but I’ll just roll with the punches.”
That sort of phlegmatic attitude has underscored his career, which has comprised 165 first class matches in which he’s scored over 11 000 runs. While South Africa’s struggles with the opening position have intensified this season, Cook has continued in much the same way as he has for much of his career – simply scoring lots of runs.
He made an unbeaten 53 for the South Africa A side in its first innings against England in a tour match before the Test series started, and then backed that up with two hundreds and another half-century for the Highveld Lions in the Sunfoil Series.
While some may bemoan his selection as having come too late, with the series already decided, Cook sees it differently. “I know I’ve not played any Test cricket, but for me each Test stands on its own. I approach every match, whether that be for club, province or franchise as a new opportunity and a chance to win.”
South Africa has suffered five defeats and played in four draws in its last nine Tests, so while the chance for a series win is gone, there is plenty for the team to play for in Centurion.
“There is a lot of negative sentiment around at the moment, you even feel it when you play franchise cricket because the guys are down about what’s happened with the Proteas. And that’s understandable, but every game is an opportunity to create something positive again.
“I know the next Test (after Centurion) is a long way away, but winning that last match can get the positive vibes going again and that momentum can be turned around in your favour.” - Cape Times