AN Cook’s 263 against Pakistan in the just concluded test at Abu Dhabi represent his third double century as an opening batsman in a test innings. He earned the distinction of becoming the eleventh opening batsman to score three or more double centuries in the annals of test cricket.

Sri Lanka’s MS Atapattu and India’s V Sehwag jointly share the record for most double centuries by an opener in the annals of test cricket. The following table lists the eleven batsman who have scored three or more double centuries in test cricket

No	Player	Team	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	200s	50	0
1	MS Atapattu	Srl	6	6	3	1297	249	432.33	6	0	0
2	V Sehwag	Ind	6	6	1	1577	319	315.40	6	0	0
3	GC Smith	SAF	5	5	0	1202	277	240.40	5	0	0
4	CG Greenidge	Win	4	4	1	876	226	292.00	4	0	0
5	L Hutton	Eng	4	4	1	977	364	325.66	4	0	0
6	AN Cook	Eng	3	3	1	792	294	396.00	3	0	0
7	SM Gavaskar	Ind	3	3	0	646	221	215.33	3	0	0
8	CH Gayle	Win	3	3	0	854	333	284.66	3	0	0
9	ST Jayasuriya	Srl	3	3	0	806	340	268.66	3	0	0
10	G Kirsten	SAF	3	3	0	705	275	235.00	3	0	0
11	RB Simpson	Aus	3	3	0	737	311	245.66	3	0	0