England vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test: Alastair Cook departs early, yet to break Sachin Tendulkar's record

New Delhi: Prodigious England cricketer Alastair Cook on Thursday came close to becoming the youngest batsman to score 10,000 Test runs during first days' play against Sri Lanka in the first Test at Headingley.

Cook — 31 years, four months and 24 days on Thursday — needed 36 runs to break Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar's record.

But, he could only managed 16 runs off 52 balls in a typical Test innings. His was the first wicket to fall today, and became Dasun Shanaka's maiden Test wicket.

In the 21st over, Cook reached out to widish delivery to play a cover drive, and ended up nicking. Dinesh Chandimal took an easy catch behind the wickets to stall Cook's record bid.

He can still score 20 runs in this match itself to recreate batting history. But for that, England will need to bat again.

Tendulkar was 31 years, 10 months and 20 days old when he scored his 10,000th run in 2005.

The right-handed English batsman was given an earnest opportunity today, with Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews opting to bowl first after winning the toss.

He is vying to become the first Englishman, and 12th player to reach the milestone.

Brian Lara, Kumar Sangakkara, Ricky Ponting, Rahul Dravid, Mahela Jayawardene, Sunil Gavaskar, Jacques Kallis, Allan Border, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Steve Waugh are the other batsmen to have reached the milestone.

England are hosting Sri Lanka for a three Tests, five One-Day Internationals and lone Twenty20 series.