Gooch welcoming prospect of his records being overtaken

The openers are also both within one more Test hundred of equalling Graham Gooch’s tally of 20 – and their batting coach will be delighted when he sees either of them relegate him to joint fourth in England’s all-time list.

It seems a near certainty that 25-year-old Cook, in particular, will one day surpass all his country’s run-making records – and for Gooch, it will be a source of pure pleasure rather than mixed feelings.

England’s first-wicket pair steered the hosts to 75-0 before rain intervened to wash out the remainder of day one of the fourth and final npower Test against India.

Asked afterwards about England’s current uncanny collective knack of making big hundreds, and therefore closing on his personal batting achievements, former captain Gooch said: “I’ll be absolutely delighted if someone goes past any of my records, because it’ll mean England are winning cricket matches.

“From the time I was a captain, player and selector, I was only interested in one thing, and that was England winning cricket matches.

“It’s not about records; it’s about winning matches. All those guys who contribute to a team performance put their side in with a chance of winning.”

Cook’s career-best 294 helped England beat India by an innings at Edgbaston last weekend, and go top of the International Cricket Council Test rankings for the first time.

It marks the achievement of a long-held ambition. But Gooch has no doubt England will continue to progress, as long as they are never tempted to look too far ahead.

“There was a bit of surprise a few months ago when it was mentioned England’s aspiration was to get to No 1,” he said.

“I don’t see why. Why wouldn’t you want to be the best?

“It’s a nice landmark, but the team draw a line under it now.

“The only thing they’re interested in now, the only game that counts is here at 11 o’clock (today) – and when this one’s over, the only game that counts will be the next one.

“If you keep winning cricket matches, and keep winning series, you might be able to retain that status.

“Being No 1 doesn’t guarantee you winning a cricket match.”

India once again appeared to be short of their best, this time with the ball after Strauss chose to bat first.

Gooch expects them to show their true colours eventually, but is hoping it is not before England have completed a 4-0 series whitewash here.

“I’m pretty sure that any Test team are proud to represent their country,” he said, in response to observations that India might not have made best use of cloudy conditions this morning.

“They take the field and give it their best shot, and I would expect that India have done that (yesterday). If they haven’t got it right, I’m sure their management system will be looking at how they can improve.”

Among India’s unsuccessful bowlers, RP Singh – in his first Test for more than three years – struggled notably, especially in his opening over.

The 25-year-old learned only shortly before start of play that he would be required to replace injured Praveen Kumar.

He said: “I’ve played IPL and club matches in India. The Indian domestic season ends in March, so I haven’t played too many four-day games – but I feel quite fit.”

Singh insists India did not make things easy for England.

“It’s pretty good – we bowled a proper line and length, just waiting for the nick.

“I was a bit nervous to start with, so that’s why I bowled here and there in the first over – but afterwards I gradually found my line and length.

“We are very close; we just need a good ‘click’.”