Half-century for ex-England captain Cook on Essex return
ALASTAIR Cook registered a half-century in his first innings since resigning the England Test captaincy and was back at the crease for Essex at the end of a tumultuous day against Somerset at Taunton.
Cook, on 39 overnight, brought up his 50 off 85 balls, but seven deliveries later, he chopped Lewis Gregory on to his stumps on the second day of the Specsavers County Championship Division One clash.
The left-handed opener’s dismissal for 52 was part of a collapse from 81 for three to 129 all out, but Neil Wagner then brought Essex back into the contest with a six-wicket haul as Somerset struggled second time around.
The New Zealand seamer took the final six wickets as Somerset were skittled for 174 to leave Essex with a victory target of 255. Cook and Nick Browne ensured there would not be a 19th scalp of the day as they steered their side to 10 without loss.
Michael Carberry anchored Hampshire in their response to Middlesex’s 356 all out with a dogged 84 not out from 234 deliveries at the Ageas Bowl.
Carberry, making his first championship appearance on the south coast since being diagnosed with cancer last year, put on a 93-run partnership with Sean Ervine (53) as Hampshire ended the day on 209 for four.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul recorded his 74th first-class century to put Lancashire in the driving seat against Surrey at the Oval.
Chanderpaul, 42, top-scored with 182, which included a 243-run stand with Jordan Clark (140), before he was last man out as Lancashire were eventually dismissed for 470. Rory Burns contributed an unbeaten 48 as Surrey closed on 112 for two.
Ben Coad claimed his second five-wicket haul in two matches before half-centuries from Peter Handscomb and Tim Bresnan helped Yorkshire into a commanding position against Hampshire.
Coad bowled Chris Wright yesterday morning to finish with five for 52 as Hampshire were rolled over for 178, while Handscomb’s 75 followed by 61 from the influential Bresnan saw Yorkshire close on 295 for six for a lead of 117. Alastair Cook of Essex CCC