Lok and learn
NOT WHAT YOU KNEE-DED, AL
ALASTAIR COOK hopes to defy a “nasty” knee injury to lead his side to another victory over the final two days at Lord’s.
The England captain is desperate to take his place in the field again in the third Test having sat out the last two sessions yesterday.
He sustained bad bruising to his left leg and was taken to the local hospital where X-rays showed no fracture.
Cook was left in agony when Sri Lankan Kusal Perera smashed a delivery from Moeen Ali into him as he was fielding close in.
England assistant coach Paul Farbrace said: “He’s had a scan. It is quite a nasty blow to the knee.
“The doc has said there’s no fracture so we will see how he is when he wakes up. We will need to see how sore he is and how much pain he can cope with in the morning.”
In Cook’s absence, Joe Root took over the captaincy and Nick Compton opened the innings – but he made just 19 as England closed
on 109-4, a 237-run lead. Struggling Compton is expected to be axed for the Pakistan series after finishing with a 12.75 average against Sri Lanka.
Durham’s Scott Borthwick is favourite to replace him while Ian Bell is also pushing for a recall at No.3.
On Compton’s woes, Farbrace said: “It’s been a tough series for Nick.
“He’s shown glimpses of form but that’s not always enough.
“He was desperate to get out there and play well but it didn’t come off for him.”
Fast bowler Steven Finn believes England can clinch a 3-0 whitewash over Sri Lanka and said: “We still have plenty of time to push on for a victory. We will be very positive over the remaining two days.
“Hopefully, the captain can bat again tomorrow and with six wickets left we are in a good position.
“If we can get an unassailable lead we can put some pressure on them.” AN UNBEATEN ton from debutant opener Lokesh Rahul steered India to a nine-wicket win over hosts Zimbabwe in the first one-day international.
Rahul smashed a six off the last ball of the innings (left) to finish on 100 not out from 115 balls to complete a dream first appearance.
India had restricting the home side to 168 all out, who lasted one ball short of their 50 overs.
In reply, the tourists were always in front of the rate and reached 173-1 with 45 balls to spare.
India lost another debutant, Karun Nair (seven), early on but an unbeaten 162-run second-wicket stand between Rahul and Ambati Rayudu (62 not out) made it a comfortable chase.