2015-16 South Africa VS England Fourth Test @ Centuruion - Debutant Stephen Cook(South Africa)scores Ton

Debutant Stephen Cook and Hashim Amla shared a double century partnership for South Africa before England fought back on the first day of the fourth and final Test at SuperSport Park on Friday January 22,2016

Stephen Cook made 115 and Hasim Amla hit 109 in a South Africa total of 329/5 at the close of play.

Stephen Cook, called up at the age of 33 when the South African selectors finally opted for a specialist opening batsman to partner Dean Elgar, was calm and organised from the start of his 218-ball innings during which he hit 14 boundaries.

Stephen Cook, who had hit 35 first-class centuries including a South African record score of 390, was one of five changes from the South African side beaten by seven wickets in the third Test in Johannesburg

Stephen Cook was picked ahead of Stiaan van Zyl and J P Duminy replaced Faf du Plessis, while off-spinner Dale Piedt and seamer Kyle Abbott came in for Chris Morris and Hardus Viljoen.
Quinton De Kock returned after injury to keep wicket in place of Dane Vilas

Stephen Cook scored his century off 187 balls when he tucked Stokes through midwicket for two and added 15 more runs before edging a ball from Chris Woakes into his stumps.

In contrast to his father, Jimmy, who was dismissed first ball on his Test debut against India in 1992/93, Stephen Cook scored four off the first ball he faced, a leg side half volley from James Anderson.

Jimmy Cook, who was in the crowd on Friday, had to wait until the age of 39 to make his official Test debut after being a prolific scorer for South Africa in 19 unofficial “rebel” Tests during South Africa’s political isolation, including a hundred on debut against an English team in 1981/82.

Stephen Cook was the 6th South African and the 102nd player in all Test matches to score a Ton on Test debut

1)Andrew Hudson(56th player)163 Runs Vs West Indies @ Kensington Oval,Bridgetown on April 18,1992

2)Jacques Rudolph(76th player)222* Vs Bangladesh @M A Aziz Stadium Chittagong on April 24,2003

3)Alviro Petersen(89th player)100 Vs India @ Eden Gardens on February 14,2010

4)Faf du Plesis(95th player)110* Vs Australia @ Adelaide on November 22,2012

5)Stiaan van Zyl (100th player)101* Vs West Indies @ Centurion on December 17,2014

6)Stephen Cook(102nd player)115 Vs England @ Centurion on January 22,2016