On This Day: Alastair Cook Becomes the Youngest Batter to Reach 10000 Test Runs

On this day in 2016, during a Test match against Sri Lanka, Cook reached a special milestone — 10000 runs in Test cricket. What made it even more remarkable was that he became the youngest player ever to do so. It was a moment that reflected his consistency, patience, and determination over the years. Let’s have a look at how he reached this incredible achievement.

England vs Sri Lanka: 2nd Test from 27th-30th May 2016

The 2nd Test between England and Sri Lanka at the Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street, from May 27 to May 30, 2016, was a match that showcased England’s ruthless dominance, culminating in a nine-wicket thrashing that handed them a 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Amid the drama, Alastair Cook quietly carved his name into cricket’s history books, crossing the 10,000 Test runs milestone.

England’s First Innings

England kicked things off in the 2nd Test against Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street in 2016 by winning the toss and choosing to bat on a pitch with a hint of green, the kind that makes seamers lick their lips. But England weren’t fazed one bit, piling on a massive 498/9 declared in 132 overs, tearing into the bowling at 3.77 runs an over. Moeen Ali was the bloke stealing the show, finishing unbeaten on 155 (207 balls, 17 fours, 2 sixes, strike rate 74.87). You could hear the crowd buzzing as he flicked one through midwicket like it was nothing or launched a huge six that had everyone on their feet.

Joe Root was his usual classy self, stroking 80 (119 balls, 5 fours, SR 67.22), making spin look like child’s play with his quick feet. Alex Hales grafted hard for 83 (145 balls, 9 fours, 1 six, SR 57.24), frustrating Sri Lanka’s bowlers with his stubborn defense. Jonny Bairstow came in swinging, blasting 48 (57 balls, 5 fours, SR 84.21), while Chris Woakes played it cool for 39 (76 balls, 6 fours, SR 51.31), nudging England toward a monster score. Alastair Cook, steady as a rock, got going but nicked off for 15 (42 balls) to Suranga Lakmal’s swinging delivery.

Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Pradeep was their best fighter, grabbing 4/107 (33 overs, Econ 3.24) by getting rid of Nick Compton, Root, Bairstow, and Stuart Broad (7). Lakmal’s 2/115 (29 overs, Econ 3.96) snagged Cook, and Milinda Siriwardana’s part-time spin worked a treat, taking 2/35 (8 overs, Econ 4.37) to dismiss Hales and James Vince (35). By stumps on Day 1, England were sitting pretty at 310/6 (90 overs), with Moeen and Woakes still there, ready to make Sri Lanka’s life miserable.

Sri Lanka’s First Innings

Sri Lanka’s first innings was a horror show, skittled for 101 in 43.3 overs (RR 2.32) as England’s pacers turned the screws. James Anderson was a magician with the ball, his swing unplayable as he took 3/36 (12.3 overs, Econ 2.88). He sent Karunaratne (9, 14 balls, 1 four, SR 64.28) packing early, followed by Chandimal (4, 11 balls, 1 four, SR 36.36) and Thirimanne (19, 80 balls, 1 four, SR 23.75), each bamboozled by his movement.

Chris Woakes, economical and deadly, took 3/9 (7 overs, Econ 1.28), removing Kusal Mendis (35, 62 balls, 3 fours, SR 56.45), Angelo Mathews (3, 8 balls, SR 37.50), and Siriwardana (0). Steven Finn (0/15, 7 overs) and Moeen Ali (0/0, 4 overs) kept things tight. Mendis showed brief defiance, but the collapse was brutal. Trailing by 397, Sri Lanka were forced to follow on as their batting lineup was destroyed by England’s relentless attack.

Sri Lanka’s Second Innings

Down by a whopping 397 runs, Sri Lanka rolled up their sleeves and put up a real fight in their second innings, scrapping their way to 475 runs in 128.2 overs at a steady 3.70 runs per over. Dinesh Chandimal was the hero, digging in for a tough-as-nails 126 (207 balls, 13 fours, 1 six, strike rate 60.86). His century, notched up in 172 balls, was a perfect mix of rock-solid defense and moments of pure class, giving the Sri Lankan fans something to shout about.

Angelo Mathews, leading from the front, blasted 80 (105 balls, 9 fours, 1 six, SR 76.19), his shots full of grit and swagger. Kaushal Silva batted like a man with all the time in the world, carving out 60 (145 balls, 6 fours, SR 41.37) to hold the top order together. Rangana Herath, the crafty old spinner, had a blast, swinging for a bold 61 (99 balls, 8 fours, SR 61.61), while Milinda Siriwardana kept things lively with 35 (72 balls, 6 fours, SR 48.61). England’s James Anderson was a menace, his swing bowling deadly as he snatched 5/58 (27 overs, Econ 2.14), knocking over Kusal Mendis (26, 22 balls, 4 fours, SR 118.18), Mathews, Siriwardana, Herath, and Shaminda Eranga (1).

Chris Woakes grafted for 2/103 (27.2 overs, Econ 3.76), getting rid of Dimuth Karunaratne (26, 55 balls, 2 fours, SR 47.27) and Suranga Lakmal (11). Stuart Broad (1/71, 24 overs), Steven Finn (1/78, 19 overs), and Moeen Ali (1/136, 28 overs) never let up. The standout was a stubborn 100-run stand (149 balls) between Chandimal and Herath, with Herath’s 50 off 87 balls driving England up the wall. Sri Lanka pushed to 350/6 (96.5 overs), 400/6 (111.6 overs), and 450 (124.5 overs), but Woakes sealed the innings by dismissing Lakmal, setting England a 79-run chase. By Day 3’s close, Sri Lanka stood at 309/5 (84 overs), with Chandimal (54) and Siriwardana (35) still battling.

England’s Second Innings

Chasing 79, England cruised to 80/1 in 23.2 overs (RR 3.42). Alastair Cook led from the front, unbeaten on 47 (65 balls, 7 fours, SR 72.30), his steady hand guiding the chase. Alastair Cook, England’s rock, crossed 10,000 Test runs during the series, becoming the youngest to do so at 31 years and 157 days across 126 Tests. Besides this, Nick Compton was solid with 22 not out (38 balls, 4 fours, SR 57.89). Alex Hales fell for 11 (37 balls, 1 four, SR 29.72) to Siriwardana (1/37, 7.2 overs, Econ 5.04).

Rangana Herath bowled miserly spells (0/18, 10 overs, Econ 1.80), but Lakmal (0/9, 3 overs), Pradeep (0/12, 2 overs), and Eranga (0/4, 1 over) couldn’t break through. A Sri Lankan review against Compton at 15.1 overs was futile. England reached 50/1 in 16.5 overs, and Cook sealed the win on Day 4, finishing the match in style. James Anderson’s 8 wickets (3/36, 5/58) earned him Player of the Match. Sri Lanka’s Shaminda Eranga was reported for a suspect action.

Batters Who Have Scored 10000 Runs in Test Cricket

Test cricket has been graced by some of the game’s greatest batsmen, and the list of its top 15 run-scorers tells a story of skill, grit, and unforgettable moments. At the summit stands India’s Sachin Tendulkar, a name synonymous with batting brilliance. Over 200 matches, he piled up 15,921 runs, smashing 51 centuries with a 53.78 average, his unbeaten 248 a testament to his mastery. Hot on his heels is Australia’s Ricky Ponting, whose 13,378 runs in 168 matches came with 41 centuries and a 51.85 average, his aggressive strokeplay lighting up grounds worldwide.

South Africa’s Jacques Kallis, a true all-rounder, racked up 13,289 runs in 166 matches, averaging an impressive 55.37 with 45 centuries, blending power with precision. India’s Rahul Dravid, nicknamed “The Wall,” earned his stripes with 13,288 runs in 164 matches, his 36 centuries and 52.31 average reflecting a steely resolve that anchored many innings. England’s Joe Root, still crafting his legacy, has 13,006 runs in 153 matches, his 36 centuries and 50.80 average marking him as a modern maestro.

Alastair Cook, another English stalwart, notched 12,472 runs in 161 matches, his 33 centuries and 45.35 average showcasing his relentless grit. In 2016, he became the youngest to hit 10,000 Test runs, a milestone etched in history. Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, with 12,400 runs in 134 matches and a remarkable 57.40 average, brought elegance to his 38 centuries. The West Indies’ Brian Lara dazzled with 11,953 runs in 131 matches, his unbeaten 400 a pinnacle of batting genius.