<p>The legendary Indian opener was both the highest run-getter and top century maker in Tests, both world records for a significant period of time. Gooch is still England’s top run-maker (8900) and is second in most centuries (20) by an English batsman -- behind Wally Hammond and Geoff Boycott, who are on top with 22 each.<br /><br />Gooch’s record may soon be eclipsed by more than one English batsman. Alastair Cook, his Essex protégé, is one three-figure score shy of equalling his mentor, as is English skipper Andrew Strauss. Kevin Pietersen, with 18 centuries, isn’t too far behind either. <br /><br />For someone who began his Test career with a pair (against Australia in 1975), Gooch did exceedingly well to become England’s most prolific run-getter, though it can be argued that his playing days stretched into his early ’40s, and he averages just under 43.<br /><br />“As far as I'm concerned, I'll be absolutely delighted if someone goes past any of my records," said Gooch, who has been England’s batting coach since 2009. “It’ll mean England are winning cricket matches. <br /><br />“From the time I was a captain, player and selector, I was only interested in one thing, and that was England winning matches. It’s not about records, it’s about winning matches. All those guys who contribute to a team performance put their side in with a chance of winning,” he remarked.<br /><br />The 58-year-old, the last English batsman to score a triple hundred (333 against India), was known for his penchant for ‘daddy hundreds’, a term he has given for scores of 150 and above. Eight of his 20 tons are above 150, a ninth being 146. The present English side appears to have made this quality their own. In the last 15 months alone, English batsmen have scored six doubles hundreds, the same number they managed in the last 15 years!<br /><br />No one epitomises this quality better than Cook, who missed out on his maiden 300 by just six runs against India at Edgbaston. The left-hander already has five scores in excess of 150, apart from a knock of 148. “He has the four attributes that make up a run-maker,” Gooch pointed out. “He has a great attitude, he has the technical ability and his knowledge pool is increasing all the time of how to play in certain situations. <br /><br />“And he has the No. 1 attribute, massive powers of concentration. If you want to score 200, you can't do it in an hour; you've got to be out there for six or seven hours. You’ve got to play every ball singly for all that time -- each ball in isolation,” he emphasised.<br /><br />What does he make of India’s batting woes on this tour? “They have got players with fantastic records,” he began. “Many batsmen around the world would be happy to have half their records. The Indian batting line-up is a tried and trusted one, some of the greatest names the game has seen. But everyone struggles from time to time. I think England have also bowled well as a unit. <br /><br />“Trent Bridge was certainly a wicket which was conducive to fast bowling and we have seen a lot of swing bowling in this series. The England bowlers who performed are all pretty much on top of their game and have kept the pressure up on the Indian players. Sometimes, when the pressure is on you, it is difficult to succeed,” he explained.<br /></p>
<p>The legendary Indian opener was both the highest run-getter and top century maker in Tests, both world records for a significant period of time. Gooch is still England’s top run-maker (8900) and is second in most centuries (20) by an English batsman -- behind Wally Hammond and Geoff Boycott, who are on top with 22 each.<br /><br />Gooch’s record may soon be eclipsed by more than one English batsman. Alastair Cook, his Essex protégé, is one three-figure score shy of equalling his mentor, as is English skipper Andrew Strauss. Kevin Pietersen, with 18 centuries, isn’t too far behind either. <br /><br />For someone who began his Test career with a pair (against Australia in 1975), Gooch did exceedingly well to become England’s most prolific run-getter, though it can be argued that his playing days stretched into his early ’40s, and he averages just under 43.<br /><br />“As far as I'm concerned, I'll be absolutely delighted if someone goes past any of my records," said Gooch, who has been England’s batting coach since 2009. “It’ll mean England are winning cricket matches. <br /><br />“From the time I was a captain, player and selector, I was only interested in one thing, and that was England winning matches. It’s not about records, it’s about winning matches. All those guys who contribute to a team performance put their side in with a chance of winning,” he remarked.<br /><br />The 58-year-old, the last English batsman to score a triple hundred (333 against India), was known for his penchant for ‘daddy hundreds’, a term he has given for scores of 150 and above. Eight of his 20 tons are above 150, a ninth being 146. The present English side appears to have made this quality their own. In the last 15 months alone, English batsmen have scored six doubles hundreds, the same number they managed in the last 15 years!<br /><br />No one epitomises this quality better than Cook, who missed out on his maiden 300 by just six runs against India at Edgbaston. The left-hander already has five scores in excess of 150, apart from a knock of 148. “He has the four attributes that make up a run-maker,” Gooch pointed out. “He has a great attitude, he has the technical ability and his knowledge pool is increasing all the time of how to play in certain situations. <br /><br />“And he has the No. 1 attribute, massive powers of concentration. If you want to score 200, you can't do it in an hour; you've got to be out there for six or seven hours. You’ve got to play every ball singly for all that time -- each ball in isolation,” he emphasised.<br /><br />What does he make of India’s batting woes on this tour? “They have got players with fantastic records,” he began. “Many batsmen around the world would be happy to have half their records. The Indian batting line-up is a tried and trusted one, some of the greatest names the game has seen. But everyone struggles from time to time. I think England have also bowled well as a unit. <br /><br />“Trent Bridge was certainly a wicket which was conducive to fast bowling and we have seen a lot of swing bowling in this series. The England bowlers who performed are all pretty much on top of their game and have kept the pressure up on the Indian players. Sometimes, when the pressure is on you, it is difficult to succeed,” he explained.<br /></p>
