Ahmedabad, November 19: Despite Umesh Yadav's two wickets in two balls and Pragyan Ojha's two wickets in a span of two overs, India couldn't press home the advantage, what with one Mr. Alastair Cook standing between the hosts and victory on Day 4 of the first Test.
England skipper Cook (batting on 168) and Matt Prior (batting on 84) taught their teammates a lesson in application as England finished the day at 340/5 - a lead of 10 runs - with Cook still at the crease after a marathon 505-minute vigil in which he faced 341 balls.
Cook's hundred was his third against India and the 21st of his career. He also became the only cricketer to score three hundreds in his first three Tests as skipper. His other two hundreds came against Bangladesh in Chittagong and Mirpur.
Cook also put on 141 runs in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand with Prior, who has faced 190 balls so far and hit 10 fours, to help England sail towards respectability. India are still in a dominant position, though, setting up a tantalizing final day's play.
Cook and Prior's innings restored England's belief in their ability to handle India's spinners on turning tracks after the debacle in the first innings. No wonder batting coach Graham Gooch, who himself saw enough of India's spinners during his playing days, was all praise for Cook's efforts.
"This lad has had a great temperament from when he first started and made his debut here. He proved even then the priceless skill of knowing how to play in different situations.
From the outset he knew what he could do and what he couldn't do and he still has that skill today. He crafted a century today. It wasn't a flamboyant innings, he did the job that was necessary," said Gooch.
But before Cook and Prior took over, there were some tense moments in the English camp soon after play started on Sunday. Nick Compton tried his best to discipline himself but was lucky to survive a leg-before appeal and a sure-shot stumping in R Ashwin's second and third over of the day.
Aleem Dar turned down what looked like an easy chance when Compton was wrapped on the pad after playing slightly forward to one that was pitched outside off and turning just a bit. Then MS Dhoni failed to collect one that kept a little low than expected when Compton stepped out.
Compton was uncomfortable against spin and he also looked uncomfortable against Zaheer Khan's seam-up stuff. Zaheer was troubling him coming round the wicket and got one to come in with the angle to trap Compton in front and get the first breakthrough.
Ojha then got into the act, bowling a beauty to Jonathan Trott, who could only push his bat out and manage a faint edge. Then it was the turn of Pietersen, who is fast turning into Ojha's dummy.
For the second time in two days, KP was bowled around his legs, this time attempting a costly sweep to an overpitched delivery.
Comments
Add new comment