England stars hail Gooch influence

England's future paid due respect to England's past on Thursday as Ravi Bopara and Alastair Cook hailed Graham Gooch for his part in their Test match development.

The Essex pair each scored centuries as England put on 302 for two on day one of the second Test against the West Indies at the Riverside, sharing a 213-run stand for the second wicket.

Cook said: "Goochie has been amazing for me and for Ravi. When I was 18 he'd be there at 8.30am in the morning throwing down at me for an hour. And not just me, all of the Essex lads. Putting that work in with the record he has behind him is amazing."

Cook batted through for 126 not out, while Bopara fell late on for 108 after becoming only the fifth Englishman to score hundreds in three consecutive Test knocks, the fourth man to do so being Essex legend Gooch.

"I felt in good form as soon as I went out there and Graham Gooch talks about making the most of it when you're in good nick. I tried my best to do that," said Bopara, who arrived at the crease following Andrew Strauss' dismissal for 26.

"But I wouldn't put myself in the same sentence as Graham. I have a lot of respect for that man, he scored a lot of runs for England and he was a fantastic player so I wouldn't mention myself alongside him.

"It's hard for me to talk about cricket and Graham Gooch because I have so much respect for him and what he did for England."

Bopara also revealed Gooch had visited him before play started to offer some last minute tips.

"He popped into the nets (on Thursday morning) to have a word and watched me for a bit," said the 24-year-old. "He said 'keep playing straight', he's always said that to me. He says there's no better place to hit the ball because there are no fielders there.

"He keeps reminding me to keep the bat straight, it might sound basic but it's nice to have that from Graham, it's quite reassuring."