Cricket: Cook hits 76 as England crumble

Visitors’ batting falters in tour match against ICC Combined XI.

DUBAI: Opener Alastair Cook was the only batsman to get some good practice as England’s batting crumbled against some spirited ICC Combined XI bowling on the second day of their three-day tour opener.

The left-hander held the innings together as none of the England batmen could settle on a slow Global Cricket Academy pitch, spurning a good chance ahead of the first Test against Pakistan starting from January 17.

Cook added 53 for the third wicket with Kevin Pietersen (15) before England declared their first-innings on 185 for eight.

Combined XI, who made 281 in the first-innings, finished the second day on 90 for five, with an overall lead of 186.

Earlier, England had reached 44 when captain Andrew Strauss (17) fell to Afghanistan paceman Hamid Hassan who finished with two for 26. Off-spinner Mohammad Nabi took two for 42 while Irish paceman Boyd Rankin took two for 49.

Cook said England, who last played a match in September, lacked rhythm. “It wasn’t ideal and I think we have to put that down to a little bit of rustiness,” said Cook. “Credit to the opposition though, especially Rankin. who bowled well.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 9^th, 2012.