Cook century gives England lead by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Ground:	Kennington Oval, Kennington
Scorecard:	England v Pakistan
Player:	AN Cook, Mohammad Aamer, Saeed Ajmal
Event:	Pakistan in England 2010

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DateLine: 20th August 2010

 

When the third day's play began the man who was under the cosh was Cook who had tallied just 100 odd runs in the past six innings. The Pakistani skipper immediately attacked and Cook probably realizing the futility of just hanging around took the attack to the Pakistani bowlers. Boundaries came in torrent and that put the Pakistani side on the defensive. Anderson also ate into the early morning period before Ajmal had him caught behind.

 

Cook and Trott then joined forces to put the Pakistani bowling to the sword. Though the pair did not blaze away the pair ground the Pakistani bowling into dust. The Pakistani bowlers lost their sting and soon the most hyped bowling unit looked pedestrian. The bowlers ran out of ideas and the frustrations of the bowlers were visible. Cook soon reached a well deserved century and with that the English lead swelled past the 100 run mark.

 

Cook was dismissed soon after reaching his century and at tea England looked all set for a huge haul but the Pakistani bowlers struck back. Wickets fell in heap after tea as Ajmal and Aamer starred with the ball. England was reduced to 221 for 9 with an overall lead of 146 when bad light stopped the play for the day.