TON-DERFUL RESPONSE FROM ENGLAND STARS
COOK JOINS THE DON ON 29 TEST CENTURIES WHILE ROOT PLAYS MAGNIFICENT INNINGS
Joe Root and Alastair Cook both delivered on their own team talks with crucial hundreds at Old Trafford.
Captain and vice-captain backed up their words, largely in a second-wicket stand of 185, as England kickstarted a fightback in the Investec series.
England totalled of 314-4 on day one of the second Test.
Each admitted the need to practise what he had preached, after England’s shock 75-run defeat at Lord’s in the first match of four.
Cook’s contribution was 105 before he was bowled by Mohammad Amir on the stroke of tea and Root finished unbeaten on 141 to keep England on course for a dominant total.
It was soon apparent they had a golden opportunity after Cook won the toss on a very good pitch – and they made no mistake.
Cookwasrightlyreluctant to crow afterwards about equalling Don Bradman by making his 29th Test century, but he did admit some gratification at coming up with his first hundred in nine months when England badly needed one.
On parity with the great Australian, he said: “I can’t really compare that, when he did it in half the games or even less... so it’s just nice to get past 28.
“It’s been a while since I scored a hundred for England.
“Also on the back of last week, certainly as captain you might talk a little bit more than the other players and sometimes it’s nice that the actions back up some of the words you’ve been saying.” His deputy agreed. “Especially after last week, the ways I got out weren’t the best, it was nice to speak about things within the group and then actually go out and deliver it,” said Root. “It’s one thing saying it, and (another) going out and proving (it) to the rest of your team-mates.
“I hope that can continue tomorrow and I can get a really big score.”
Root’s 10th format century came after several occasions when he has, on his own admission, had only himself to blame for falling short.
“Looking back at last week, there were two quite reckless shots,” he added.
“You want to learn from that and make sure you don’t make those mistakes again.
“I hope that can continue and it’s not a one-off something that can happen over and over again for the rest of the summer and beyond.”
The 25-year-old was relieved to have made a significant start having failed to cash in on his recent opportunities.
“I’ve felt in good touch all summer, (but) I’ve found some stupid ways to get out,” he added.
“I worked really hard today, to graft – maybe not score at the rate I have done previously over the last couple of years – but if that’s what it’s going to take to score big hundreds that’s what I’m going to have to do.
“I was trying to take as much risk out of my batting as possible.”
Amir did work over Cook’s opening partner Alex Hales (10), though, and proved too good for him, and James Vince also went early (18) but it was England’s day.