Cook approaches maiden triple century, England 422 runs ahead

Aug 12, 2011 |

Birmingham

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Alastair Cook

Opener Alastair Cook scored a career-best and unbeaten 266 as England tightened their grip over the third Test match against India by extending their lead to a massive 422 runs at tea on the third day of the third cricket Test here today.

Cook, showing monumental patience, hardly played a rash stroke and was well past his personal best score of 235 as England took tea at 646 for six.

Cook so far has batted for 703 minutes and grinded Indian attack down for 518 balls, hitting 29 fours and giving him company was Tim Bresnan (19).

Cook's overnight partner Eoin Morgan (104) scored his second Test century and the duo put on 222 runs for the fourth wicket. Morgan batted against his normal aggressive style to compile 104 runs from 199 balls with the help of 11 fours.

The three wickets -- Morgan, Ravi Bopara (7), Matt Prior (5) -- which India took in the session mattered less in the context of the series and the visitors' position as the top team of the world.

England is closing in on their highest total ever against India —- 653 runs made at Lord's during the 1990 series. They are already past their best against India at this ground -— 633 made against Venkatraghvan's team in 1979.

Cook too has managed a personal milestone for himself as he is past his previous best score of 235, made against Australia at Brisbane last year.

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