Root is the best English player I've played with: Cook

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Edgbaston, August 18: England opener Alastair Cook lauded the genius of his captain Joe Root saying he was the best English batsman he has ever played with. Root made a fine 136 on the first day of the first Test against the West Indies on Thursday (August 17).

"It's fairly frustrating when you have a 22-run start and he beats you to hundred by 20 balls," said Cook. "He makes it looks so easy. I think he is the best English player I have played with," said the Essex man.

The former England captain said Root has been consistent. "He is phenomenally consistent against world-class bowlers around the world. He is a genius and an unbelievable player to watch from the other end. He is a lesson to us all," he said.

Cook was pleased to score his first Test hundred in 17 innings, a run stretching back to the first Test against India at Rajkot last November.

"I don't know why hundreds are such a big thing but I was really pleased with the couple of fifties I got in a tough series against South Africa," he said. "As a batsman you are judged on hundreds and it was nice I was able to cash in and get a big one today."

It was Cook's 31st Test hundred, putting him one ahead of former Australian opener Matthew Hayden. The Englishman is now one hundred behind former Australian captain Steve Waugh (32).