COOK BACK IN GROOVE WITH AN ALL-DAYER

IF England are going to match India’s batting galacticos in their five-Test series, they will need runs — lots of them — from Alastair Cook. A century on the first day of the Lions’ game against India A was perfect preparation. Cook had not batted in the middle for 18 days, dividing his time between his farm and practice with Essex. But there was little sign of cobwebs or rust against a decent attack including Test off-spinner Jayant Yadav. On a lifeless pitch that felt more like the subcontinent than mid-summer England, the Lions reached the close on 310 for two and Cook (below) was still there on 154, doing what he does best. More significantly for the make-up of England’s top order at Edgbaston on August 1, Dawid Malan responded to the threat of losing his place with a composed, unbeaten 59. Watched by selectors Ed Smith and James Taylor, it was a good retort after a difficult few weeks. Malan was said to have been unimpressed by his recent omission from England’s Twenty20 squad, despite making four 50s in his five appearances in the format. And his release from England’s 50-over party looked like an unfortunate piece of timing when Jason Roy was declared an injury doubt for today’s third and deciding ODI against India at Headingley. Had Malan stayed with the squad, he might have expected to make his one-day debut, but the selectors wanted him to score some red-ball runs. It is understood he has been left in no doubt that he needs to improve on a Test record that includes a successful Ashes but little else. Cook’s 62nd firstclass hundred was his first since that mammoth unbeaten 244 at Melbourne at the end of 2017, and he said: ‘I needed the opportunity to play a bit of red-ball cricket. ‘I couldn’t have asked for any more — to score some runs against some decent spinners and get back into the rhythm of batting.’

SRI LANKA captain Dinesh Chandimal, coach Chandika Hathurusinghe and manager Asanka Gurusinha have each been suspended for six international matches for ‘conduct which is contrary to the spirit of the game’. The trio have been punished following an incident during the drawn second Test against the West Indies last month. Play was held up for two hours after the tourists refused to take to the field in protest at the umpires’ decision to impose a five-run penalty and replace the match ball. Officials had ruled that the condition of the original ball had been altered by Chandimal.