ALASTAIR Cook sent most of England’s Test batting records tumbling during his 161-match career, but he hasn’t finished writing the history books just yet.

After reaching stumps against India on day three of his final Test at 46 not out, Cook is on the verge of what would be one of his most impressive achievements in 12 years of international cricket.

Just 30 more runs will make him Test cricket’s fifth-greatest run scorer of all time.

But a 33rd and final Test century would make him just the fifth person to ever score a hundred in both debut, and farewell matches.

The last person was Indian batsman Mohammad Azharuddin, who farewelled Test cricket with a century against South Africa in March 2000.

Only three other people - all Australians - have signed on and off with Test tons.

Greg Chappell is the only one to have done so in the last 80 years, hitting a ton against England in Perth in 1970 before retiring in Sydney 14 years later with 182 against Pakistan.

Before him was Bill Ponsford, whose career was book ended by centuries against England - the first in Sydney in 1924, the second at The Oval in London in 1934.

Reggie Duff was the first to accomplish the feat when he ended his 29-match career in 1905 with a 146, also against England at The Oval.

Now Cook will walk into the middle of the same iconic ground more than a century later.

He may not know of the ancient achievements of Duff and Ponsford, but in this instance, history is on his side.