England comes first for Cook

1 May 2008

Alastair Cook says there is no greater thrill than representing your country © Getty Images

Alastair Cook insists he and his England team-mates would never turn their backs on their country.

The Indian Premier League has attracted a host of star names from around the world, although Dimitri Mascarenhas is the only Englishman to sign up for the event.

England’s schedule and the domestic season clashes with the much-publicised 20-over event in India, but Cook is adamant that, given a choice between the two, there will only be one winner.

“I definitely won’t be changing. England comes first,” the Essex opener said.

“I can’t see people turning their back on playing for their country. There is no greater thrill than scoring hundreds or taking wickets to win games.

“It’s better than the IPL. Financially it’s better to play in the IPL but life is not all about money.

"The schedules are so tight that it is just not possible.”

While Cook accepts that the introduction of the shortened format has revolutionised the game, he is in no doubt that Test cricket remains the pinnacle of a player’s career.

He added: “Twenty20 has changed Test cricket in many ways with scoring rates but the benchmark is Test cricket and I can’t see that changing for a long time.”