Cook battles SA with gritty knock
England captain’s unbeaten 82 guides hosts to 171/4 on raincurtailed first day; Philander takes two wickets
LONDON:Alastair Cook ensured a quality launch to The Oval’s 100th Test with an innings of familiar patience and defiance that guided England to 171 for four against South Africa on an absorbing but rain-disrupted opening day of the third Test on Thursday.
Former captain Cook stood firm as the historic occasion was frustratingly interrupted by four stoppages, resisting throughout the day to finish unbeaten on 82 as wickets tumbled around him.
The 32-year-old negotiated a demanding examination from a South African pace attack inspired particularly by twowicket Vernon Philander, who also spent 50 minutes off the field with a stomach upset, to close in on a 31st test hundred.
With the four-Test series locked at 1-1, the visitors made light of losing the toss with Cook, who survived 178 balls, and Philander, who had excellent figures of 2-17 from 12 overs, proving the central figures. Electing to bat, England captain Joe Root gave his predecessor Cook the chance to impress again in the landmark test at the south London venue which has become one of cricket’s most historic grounds over 137 years. The Oval joined another London venue Lord’s and Australia’s Melbourne and Sydney Cricket Grounds in hosting a century of tests. In a new-look England side, featuring three new caps, batsmen Tom Westley and Dawid Malan and seamer Toby Roland-Jones, it was old stager Cook whose summoned all his skill and resolve to anchor the innings in seaming conditions.
CAPABLE SUPPORT
Cook was given capable support by Essex county colleague Westley in a half-century stand before lunch but the newcomer departed for 25 straight after the resumption, pushing hard at Chris Morris to edge to second slip.
Westley had impressed after Keaton Jennings was again found wanting, prodding tentatively at Philander to be caught at third slip for a duck in the fourth over.