Alastair Cook ‘has been a champion’ – Mitchell Johnson

They had their face-offs over the years, at the top of the England order, Johnson firing in his bolts and Cook dealing with them.

Nineteen times they met in Ashes Test cricket. Johnson got the better of Cook nine times and though it wasn’t always comfortable for Cook, he didn’t let it all go Johnson’s way – 235* in Brisbane Test in late 2010 and 189 in Sydney in early 2011 are proof of that.

Understandable, then, that Johnson, retired earlier this year, has a lot of respect for Cook, who has just hung up his boots.

Considering the history between the two, it’s fair for Johnson to start with a little banter: “I thought he was going to retire a few years ago, he’s not at his best,” said the quick with a laugh, speaking to ICC.

Then the respect shone through: “But he’s just shown what a class act he is. Scores a hundred on his debut, scores a hundred to finish off his career.” The admiration for England’s highest-ever run-getter in Test cricket – 12,472 in 161 matches, with 33 centuries – is evident.

Johnson is still only 36, and Cook some way past 33 – you’d think it’s too early to quit, for both of them, but especially the batsman among the two.

“He’s still only young, but he’s played a lot of (Test) cricket, some 160-odd games, I think. Cooky, he’s been a champion. I’ve always had the utmost respect for him as a player and a person. Off the field, he’s just a genuinely nice guy. Also, on the field, always a tough competitor. A typical Test cricketer,” said Johnson.

While the general image of Cook is that of a hard-as-nails grafter, he could play his shots when he wanted to – 1442 fours and 11 sixes in Test cricket don’t come by dead-batting everything.

“He knew there were periods he had to block and let go, and really dig deep. Moments when he had to attack, and he did that on his own terms, played the game the way he wanted to play it and never let anyone tell him otherwise. Didn’t listen to the critics and just enjoyed himself,” pointed out Johnson.

And then, back to the lighter stuff: “He never really sweated as well, so that was quite annoying at times, when you’re out there and you’re bowling to him 30-plus overs and he’s just pasting you all over the place.

“Yeah, he was a great competitor and I wish him all the best in the future."