Alastair Cook reaches 24,000 first-class runs with latest hundred
Essex reach 249 for 3 before more rain as game heads towards watery draw
ECB Reporters Network
24-Aug-2020
Sir Alastair Cook made yet another first-class hundred • Getty Images
Essex 249 for 3 (Cook 129*) v Hampshire
Alastair Cook continued to pile on first-class runs but rain looks set to force Essex and Hampshire towards a draw.
Former England captain Cook now has 66 first-class hundreds, having struck a near-flawless three figures at Arundel, before reaching his 24,000th run in first-class cricket - something only 146 men have done beforehand. He ended on unbeaten 129, with Essex on 249 for 3, with play concluding at lunch due to torrential rain making an already wet outfield sodden.
No play was possible on the first day, before just 47 overs on the second, another 32 overs were added to the tally on Monday - but with a terrible forecast for the final day, Essex's 100% record in the Bob Willis Trophy appears unlikely to remain.
Nightwatchman Jamie Porter managed to survive 13 morning overs before he was lbw to Ryan Stevenson for 8. But after that, it was a case of England past and England future, as Dan Lawrence joined Cook met in the middle.
Lawrence, who was a reserve in England's Test side this summer, has returned to his county in fine form - with a 60 against Sussex last week. Further west down the Sussex coastline, he continued that form with a typically stylish 37 not out - which included a lovely straight six off Mason Crane.
Lawrence did ride his luck as he was twice close to being run out at the non-striker's end while backing up.
Cook used his perfected arsenal of shots, mostly square either side of the wicket, to reach a 180-ball ton with a classic push to midwicket. Cook is the active player with the most runs in world cricket and moved to another milestone when a single on the cusp of lunch took him to 24,000 runs.
His next target on the all-time run-scoring list in red-ball cricket is Australian legend Steve Waugh - who he needs another 52 to equal.
Cook was unable to add to his count, with Essex stuck a run away from a second batting point, as heavy rain put pay to any chance of returning to the wicket - with play officially abandoned at 5.35pm after a series of inspections.
