Adelaide, Dec. 4: Alastair Cook again proved to be an immovable force, blunting Australia’s bowlers to put England in a commanding position in the second Test at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
The frazzled Australians endured a long hot day of toil in the field for scant reward as Cook continued to be the marathon man of the Ashes series, scoring his second century. England cruised past Australia’s below-par first innings total of 245 some 23 overs before stumps and finished the sweltering second day at 317/2, a lead of 72.
Cook followed up his unbeaten 235 in Brisbane to end the day on 136 with Kevin Pietersen, not out on 85, threatening to unleash a big score on Sunday’s third day. The pair have so far put on 141 for the third wicket.
Vice-captain Cook, displaying immense powers of concentration, has amassed 438 runs in three innings in this series for one dismissal and has spent all but 11 overs on the field in the first seven days of the series.
“It was excellent conditions to bat in today, 37 degrees (Celsius) and a good wicket to bat on,” Cook said. “It was important to make the most of what our bowlers did yesterday. It was fantastic effort to dismiss them for 245.
“We are in a really good position now but it’s only day two so there’s a lot of cricket left.”
Cook helped himself to four with a cut off ineffectual spinner Xavier Doherty to reach his ton, his third against Australia. Cook has now scored 15 Test centuries before the age of 26, equalling the achievement of Australian legend Don Bradman.
Scores: Australia 245 vs England 317/2 (Cook batting 136, Pietersen batting 85, Trott 78).