COOK WANTS MORE AS ENGLAND KEEP THEIR HOPES ALIVE

ALASTAIR COOK insisted his job was not yet done despite notching his 33rd international century and batting for all of day three to keep England in the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi. Pakistan’s bowlers were unable to penetrate Cook’s defences during all three sessions at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium yesterday as the England captain guided his side to 290 for three at the close — with a heroic, unbeaten knock of 168. England could have been even better placed for a final push today had they not lost Ian Bell (63) and Mark Wood (four) late in the day, after Moeen Ali fell for 35 in the first session, but Cook and Joe Root will resume 233 runs shy of Pakistan’s mammoth effort of 523 for eight declared. Cook’s stubborn resistance and elegant strokeplay enabled him to register his 28th Test century and 33rd in all formats — which saw him surpass Kevin Pietersen as England’s most prolific centurion. England’s ability to carve out a result in the first of three Tests could well hinge on how long he stays at the crease and he insisted he and his team-mates still have plenty of work to do. ‘It’s (been) a good three days in one way to be 168 not out,’ he said. ‘It’s been tough physically but I’m pleased to have got through that last hour and a half when I was a little bit tired. ‘It’s a different style of cricket (on the subcontinent) — certainly slow, low wickets. If you can bat to your game and be patient, you can bat for long periods of time.’ Cook was dropped by substitute fielder Fawad Alam shortly before passing 150. A third century stand of the match — after partnerships of 116 with Moeen and 165 with Bell — would likely see him register his third Test double hundred.