The hosts were a massive 646 for six at tea on the third day for a lead of 422.
It all left England superbly placed to go an unbeatable 3-0 up in this four-match series and secure a win that would see them replace India at the top of the ICC’s Test Championship table.
Cook has now batted for 11 hours and 43 minutes and in the process become the first England batsman to score 250 in a Test since his mentor Graham Gooch, now England’s batting coach, made 333 against India at Lord’s in 1990.
Only the persevering Praveen Kumar, one of India’s few success stories on an injury-hit tour, maintained a measure of control with two for 92 in another lengthy innings stint of 39 overs.
Cook, 206 not out at lunch, stroked leg-spinner Amit Mishra through the covers for a three that took him past his previous Test best of 235 not out against Australia in Brisbane in November.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 13th, 2011.
COMMENTS (3)
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@Ali: Good analysis. I pitty on the person who bought Dhoni's Cricket bat for British Pound 100,000.
Apnay Ghar may Hur Eik Sher hota hay - Zara Bahar to nikal kar kamal dikhao - - - -
Congratulation to England Cricket team for climbing on TOP #1 position.
Regards
Dr. Saleem Siddiqi Johannesburg - South Africa
Ali is right. India is an over-rated team that has attained the number 1 ranking by abusing the statistical rules. As the saying goes: There are lies, there are damn lies and then there is statistics."
There should be no surprize if Indians are showing miserable performance, they have history, whenever they play outside India they show same type of performance.
Sehwag is selected for world eleven and you suprized to know his average in test, it is less than 35 outside India. He received golden duck in 3rd test.
Tendulkar time is also over, he needs to take retirement and take bath in Gana Jamna for rest of this life.
Where is captaincy of Dhoni know? Winning world cup is not more than a fluke, it is proved in England, one rightly said "A wonder last but nine days".