Legend Cook targets ton on Test farewell

ALASTAIR COOK is dreaming of finishing his Test career with another glorious century at The Oval today.

Opener Cook received a massive and longlasting reception as he walked to the middle to start his final innings for England 40 minutes before tea on the third day.

And he was still there at the end, on 46 not out, along with skipper Joe Root, unbeaten on 29 as England reached 114-2, 154 ahead after bowling India out for 292.

The series was already won going into this fifth Test and, barring another batting collapse, today should all be about Cook bowing out in style.

Magnificent

This knock and his first innings 71 has already given England a solid platform for another big win.

But his focus this morning will be on wracking up another50, with a 33rd and final Test century in sight to put the seal on his magnificent career.

Cook survived a tough examination at the hands of Mohammed Shami, playing and missing at a succession of deliveries just before tea and then blocking for all he was worth either side of the break, at one point going 26 balls without scoring.

Otherwise Cook did what he has done for a dozen years, concentrating harder than anyone else, picking off the bad balls, and surviving to the close. But the first session and a half were lit up by a brilliant display of batting flamboyance from Ravi Jadeja.

Mainly batting with India’s long tail, the all-rounder clobbered the ball all around the ground, including 11 fours and a straight six off Jimmy Anderson.

India began on 174-6 but a Test debut half century from Hanuma Vihari and Jadeja’s unbeaten 86 lifted them to within 40 runs of England’s first innings total at 292 all out.

Jadeja marked his half century with his customary sword-dance, pretend-sharpening his blade then swishing it wildly much to the delight of the crowd – and the annoyance of England’s fielders.

But the thrills vanished when England batted again and particularly for Keaton Jennings who was out offering no stroke to a delivery that jagged back from Shami.

It was a dismissal that seems unlikely to change the mind of chief selector Ed Smith, who seems certain to put him on the plane to Sri Lanka this winter – despite his poor form.

Moeen Ali stuck around for 20 but fell to Jadeja’s turn, leaving England 62-2. But then it was the Cook show.

With pregnant wife Alice in the stands 24 hours before she is due, the low-octane approach was not the worst idea.

Today, hopefully, will be a different matter – and give the Cooks two huge reasons to celebrate.