Cook pips Sachin to Test batting record

England captain Alastair Cook has become the youngest player in history to score 9,000 Test runs, edging out India legend Sachin Tendulkar to the milestone.

With 56 on the final day at Headingley against New Zealand, Cook (30years 159days) pipped the ‘Little Master’ Tendulkar (30y 253d) by 94 days, reaching the landmark with a cut stroke through extra cover for four from off-spinner Mark Craig.

While Cook wasn’t the fastest batsman to the total in terms of innings – that record belongs to Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakarra with 172 innings – the left-hander is the only player to reach 9,000 Test runs in less than 10 years, beating India’s Rahul Dravid who got there in 10 years and nine days.

But after quietly acknowledging the applauding crowd, Cook failed to add to his impressive career tally, trapped in front seven balls later by the part-time spin of Kane Williamson. 

Watch: Cook's slice of England history

It’s the second time during the match the England skipper has re-written the record books.

On day two, Cook passed former batting coach Graeme Gooch to become England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer, eclipsing Gooch’s record that stood for almost 22 years.

Speaking before the second Test, Cook said he owed his batting achievements to his former mentor Gooch, who parted ways as England batting coach 12 months ago.

"I wouldn't put myself anywhere near in his class but it would be a great moment," Cook said on Thursday on surpassing Gooch as England’s most prolific Test batsman.

"I wouldn't be here, or anywhere near here, without Goochie's help, so it will be slightly strange if I do go past his record because without his hard work and dedication to me and my game, I wouldn't have scored half the runs I would have done.

"We worked together since I started on the Essex staff at 18 and then made that decision that I'll work on different areas and work with different coaches over a period.

"While it was really refreshing to work with different guys, I think it’s really important there's one guy you go back to because he knows your game inside out."

Cook, whose 27 Test centuries is also an England record, will look to add to his impressive record when Australia arrive in the United Kingdom later this month ahead of the first Test in Cardiff on July 8.