Stoneman hits first tour ton, Cook in form
THE LEFTHANDER CRACKED 111 OFF 159 BALLS AND SHARED A 172RUN OPENING STAND WITH COOK.
TOWNSVILLE: Mark Stoneman scored the first century of the Ashes tour as Alastair Cook regained form in England’s match against a Cricket Australia XI in Towns ville on Thursday.
The in-form Surrey lefthander cracked 111 off 159 balls and shared a 172-run opening stand with former skipper Cook as the tourists clubbed their way to 337 for three at the close on the second day of the four-day game.
In the final warm-up game ahead of next week’s Ashes Test series opener against Australia in Brisbane, Cook finally found some batting form with 70 off 127 balls after a run of low scores.
At stumps, captain Joe Root was unbeaten on 62 with Dawid Mala non 57 to ca pa pleasing day for the English against a light- weight CA XI bowling attack.
Regardless of the strength of the inexperienced bowling opposition, England’ s batsmen spent precious time out in the middle ahead of the first Gabba Test, starting on November 23.
Coach Trevor Bay liss had said after England’s thumping 192run victory over the CA XI in Adelaide last week that his batsmen had to score big.
Stoneman, who has been England’s best-performing batsman on tour with three half-centuries, got on with the job on Thursday before he was caught and bowled by leg-spinner Daniel Fallins immediately after tea.
“It’s very pleasing to get three figures after the starts I’ve had on the tour,” Stoneman told reporters.
“It’s another level of progression, which is what is required so close to the first Test.
“I’ m in decent touch. Everyone has been critical of the opposition we have faced, but I’m fairly happy.”
Stoneman showed attacking intent from the out set after Stuart Broad had taken the final home wicket to dismiss Cricket Australia for 250.
Stoneman survived a difficult chance to gully on 41 before reaching 50 off 66 balls and a hundred off 140.
But if Stoneman was the batting star, the tourists would have been delighted with Cook’s return to form after his fitful start to the tour.