ENG vs IND 2018: Alastair Cook Doubtful For Fourth Test Due To Birth Of His Child
Updated - 21 Aug 2018, 12:43 PM
England opener Alastair Cook could miss the fourth England vs India Test in Southampton next week to attend the birth of his third child.
Cook’s wife Alice is due to go into labour some time around the start of the match, on August 30. As a result, Cook has a chance of missing the game which is set to be a crucial one if India go on to win the ongoing game at Trent Bridge. However, Daily Mail has that England are hoping the timing of the birth will allow Cook to take his place in the team.
In 2016, Cook had joined the side for tour of Bangladesh late so he could be at the birth of his second daughter, Isobel. Meanwhile, in case Cook misses the game, it will end his world-record sequence of 157 Test appearances.
Cook would be the last man wanting to miss the upcoming game considering his form at the moment. England’s highest Test run-scorer is averaging a poor 19 in Tests this year. It is his lowest a yearly average since he began his Test career with a splendid ton in India in 2006.
Cook has scored just one fifty in 13 innings since the double century in the Ashes Test at Melbourne. His struggles have further extended in the ongoing series.
His scores in this series read – 13, 0, 21 and 29. He is currently unbeaten on 9 as England are in pursuit of an improbable 521.
Meanwhile, Cook’s absence could make things tough for the fourth Test. His opening partner Keaton Jennings has still not cemented his place in the team. On the other hand, Ollie Pope, England’s new number four, is just two-Tests old.
What has further worsened England’s condition is an injury to Jonny Bairstow. The wicketkeeper injured his finger while keeping on Monday. X-ray later revealed he had a minor fracture in his left middle-finger. He can bat in the second innings but is reportedly set to miss the remainder of the series.
