South Africa vs England: 'That one was for dad,' says Stephen Cook on his debut century

Cook had played 155 first-class matches before being selected

South Africa's Stephen Cook celebrates his century during the fourth cricket test match against England in Centurion, South Africa (Reuters)

When Jimmy Cook made his long-awaited Test debut at the age of 39 he was out to the first ball of the match. His son Stephen is a comparative rookie at 33, and not only did he clip his first ball for four with supreme authority, he went on to make a hundred.

“I spoke to him last night and he said, ‘If you don’t just get out to the first you’re already better than me’,” said Cook Jnr last night after becoming the 100th cricketer, and the fourth-oldest opener, to make a century in his first match. “I was really glad to clip that first one off my pads. I owe a lot to him. It’s probably one for him as well that he never got.”

Cook was surprisingly un-emotional when he eventually reached his landmark, having spent an agitated time in the nineties and watching two wickets fall at the other end, first his long-time partner Hashim Amla, with whom he shared a second-wicket partnership of 202, and then AB de Villiers. But there was no doubt much going on inside.

“There was pressure throughout the day,” he said. “I was aware of that. I’m generally not an over-emotional person and try to keep things within myself.

“Hashim was amazing; he did a really good job, just worry about the next ball, don’t look too far ahead. We had a little chuckle out there because the last time we batted together we were 19 years old.”

Cook, who had played 155 first-class matches before being selected, added: “As time went on I knew it was getting less likely that I would make my debut but I never gave up hope. I always felt the day would come.

“It is a lifelong dream come true. I always thought to myself – even from a young age – it isn’t just about making your debut, it is about performing, scoring hundreds. I want to contribute to Proteas victories.

“There are some games that you don’t remember, that pale into insignificance, but this one won’t. It will always be at the forefront of my mind.”

His innings may stay in a similar place for England for a while. They did not bowl well in the first two sessions and it was as well the series was already secured.

Joe Root, England’s vice-captain, said: “It’s Test cricket; you don’t go into a Test match thinking it is another game.

“We weren’t at our best in the first session. They played well, we missed our lengths. Even though we have got a fantastic record, our bowlers are human and they make mistakes. For me the most important thing was how we came back."