Turgid Test fare doesn't detract from Cook's leaving party

HUW TURBERVILL AT THE OVAL: Alastair Cook did not disappoint, an innings of 71 ensuring his final Test, against India at The Oval, will be seen as a success, even if he could not go on to make a 33rd Test century

^{Alastair Cook bats at The Oval on Friday}

It was turgid stuff, two runs per over for most of the time, but that did not matter much today. About 25,000 people were happy to pay about £70-80 to attend Alastair Cook's leaving party.

He did not disappoint, an innings of 71 ensuring his final Test, against India at The Oval, will be seen as a success, even if he could not go on to make a 33rd Test century.

His final first innings in a Test, in his 161st match, ended when he played on to Jasprit Bumrah, the man with the ramrod arm.

Cook faced 190 balls, with eight fours, and he surpassed his previous best in the series (29) by some margin.

England's all-too-familiar mini-collapse soon after makes it highly likely that he will bat a second time in this match, however.

^{Cook is playing in his final Test match}

The Oval's 101st Test will always be recalled as 'Cook's match', and it definitely falls into one of three categories: those being - 1) momentous cricketing occasion, 2) earn yourself a tour berth/one chance to prove yourself, and 3) (applicable in this case) bidding adieu!

Being the last Test of the summer, many greats have taken their leave here in Kennington, in front of the gasholders: Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh in 2000; Mike Atherton (such a low-key, dignified one that) a year later; and Alec Stewart in 2003... to name just a few in recent times. The most famous farewell was Don Bradman, who fell for a duck (average 99.94 therefore). "Fancy that!" he exclaimed.

There was another notable duck at The Oval, in the amiable 1953 film, The Final Test. Jack Warner starred as legendary England batsman Sam Palmer, and suffered a low-key send-off in a denouement that must have owed something to Bradman.'s. Thank goodness that Cook, after his essentially sentimental selection here, avoided that fate. In fact, he looked really rather good in the morning, like the proverbial weight had been lifted off his shoulders.  People started wondering if his decision had been too hasty.

Could he have had a winter off, as Graham Gooch, David Gower, Ian Botham and co used to do, and come back refreshed next summer for another few years? A particular highlight was a lovely clip off his legs for four, which he followed up with a crisp pull next ball.

Keaton Jennings, not looking so fluent, watched on admiringly. By lunch Cook was on 37 and Moeen Ali 2. After seeing the top order do their job, England fans could have been forgiven for thinking, "It's about time!"

^{England's opening batsman reached 37 not out at lunch}

Everyone wanted to see Cook move into the 'momentous Oval Test performance' category as well. A nice 158 would be perfect - matching Basil D'Oliveira's (1968) and his great pal Kevin Pietersen (2005 - that Test was also notable for a memorable farewell - that of Richie Benaud).

It was not to be. He weathered a storm in the afternoon session, playing and missing three times in a row to Mohammad Shami's 43rd over, but could not go on to make three figures.

Other momentous Tests here include 1882 ('death of English cricket'); 1902 ("we'll get 'em in singles"); 1953 ("England have won the Ashes!"); and 1994 ("You guys are history!).

Jennings, who managed 23, could also be in last-chance saloon (category 2), but at least this is his 12th chance. 

Poor Paul Parker, John Stephenson, Alan Wells, Joey Benjamin and even Fred Grace only ever won one cap (all at this ground)! And then... it was Oval and out (I'll get my coat).