Knight Cook takes charge with 150 on day one at Cambridge

The traditional counties versus universities pre-season matches saw Sir Alastair Cook score 150 not out for Essex against Cambridge at Fenner’s yesterday.

In his first innings in England since retiring from Test cricket, the 34-yearold former England captain compiled his 64th first-class ton on the opening day of the three-day game.

Cook retired last September with a knock of 147 against India at The Oval, after 161 Tests and 12,472 runs, both England records. He brought up his fifty before lunch yesterday with the ninth boundary and reached his hundred before tea off 200 deliveries and finished with 150 off 248 balls, including 21 fours.

Essex declared on 387 for 5 and Cambridge were 36-1 at the close.

0 Sir Alastair Cook, right, and Nick Browne make their way out to bat for Essex on the first morning of the first class match against Cambridge MCCU at Fenner’s.