Batting's the good life for Cook
Every batsman is given different gifts, and run-hunger and the intuitive facility to grasp the craft of scoring are just as valuable as exceptional physical skill, writes S Ram Mahesh in the Hindu
His innate endurance (a less-recognised physical gift, like his knack for working the ball to the on-side) helped him on two levels. He was so fit that he barely broke a sweat, and this fitness in turn allowed him to concentrate better, his body making few demands of the mind.
Akhila Ranganna is assistant editor (Audio) at ESPNcricinfo