Ashes 2017-18: Alastair Cook - England’s ultimate run-machine

Alastair Cook, the leading run-getter for England in Test cricket, is determined to repeat his Ashes heroics of 2010/11 Down Under. Cook, who smashed 766 runs and helped England win an Ashes series in Australia for the first time in 24 years, has admitted that England are under pressure but Australia will be under even further stress. In the pre-match Ashes conference, the former England skipper said Australia's pace attack is not intimidating. “They're not suddenly bowling 150 miles an hour, (they have) not got magic balls which start way outside the stumps and swing miles and stuff. They're very good bowlers with good records. As batters, that is the challenge we've got in the next seven weeks.” Cook's achievement has been lauded by Joe Root, the current skipper who says, “The amount of runs he has scored and is capable of scoring in the future is quite frightening. So that's only going to boost our side.” (Video credit: Perform)