Cook hits timely ton in England draw

South Australia 221 & 2 for 48 drew with England XI 8 for 288 dec & 1 for 240 dec (Cook 111*, Strauss 102)

An uncanny ability to rescue an international career from troughs of unimaginably poor form with match-winning knocks under the most immense pressure has epitomised Alastair Cook's cricket over the last two years. While his neck may not quite have been on the line in this second warm-up game against South Australia, England confidently opting not to bolster their squad with a third opening batsman, it would be hard for any England fan who has followed the Essex stroke maker this summer to say with some conviction that a solitary ton amongst a handful of failures is enough to ensure a return to the consistency that typified his first year as a Test match batsman.

Three days earlier Cook had been given his first chance to silence the critics, England winning the toss and electing to bat first. But after an assured start he decided to delay his batting epiphany for another two days and instead gift Peter George his third wicket of the day to reduce the visitors to 63 for 3 on the opening morning. Kevin Pietersen soon followed caught off the bowling of Queensland paceman Ben Edmondson by the magnificently named Aiden Blizzard leaving England in need of some plucky resistance in the afternoon session - enter Paul Collingwood.

An uncharacteristically fluent innings from Collingwood on the ground where he crafted his highest ever Test score guided England to 226 for 4 before, six runs short of a hundred, he edged a Jake Haberfield delivery to a grateful Callum Ferguson in the gully. Ian Bell powered on for another six and a half overs taking his side past 250 and himself past 50, and with a declaration now imminent Matt Prior and Graeme Swann chipped in with brisk cameos to propel England to 288 for 8 declared in just over 78 overs. In turn Strauss was afforded the luxury of unleashing his trio of youthful seamers on a weary South Australian opening pair, but some steadfast defensive play ensured the home side suffered no casualties come the close of play.

Day two began promisingly for England, Stuart Broad making the breakthrough at the end of his second over of the morning drawing James Smith into edging the ball through to wicketkeeper Matt Prior. James Anderson then bagged opener Daniel Harris with the first ball of his over to make it two wickets in two balls for the tourists. A spirited South Australian middle order fightback kept them afloat until Michael Klinger wofted his bat at a James Anderson delivery only to spew the ball into the grateful hands of Kevin Pietersen and spark a mid-innings collapse.


Anderson continued his impressive work removing wickie Graham Manou for 0, but it was England's premium tweaker Graeme Swann who caused the most damage taking four of the final five wickets to skittle the state side out for a lowly 221 and finish with figures of 22.4 overs, 4 for 68. 


England returned to the middle for the majority of the evening session to cap off an impressive day for the touring side. Strauss and Cook taking England to 94 without loss at stumps and a lead of 67 going into the final day. The captain was in particularly imperious form hitting three sixes and five fours in his 56 not out, reaching his fifty at almost a run a ball. With Cook and Pietersen now in competition for least-assured batsman in world cricket, Strauss's new-found penchant for the boundary rope and even the spectators stand has provided fans with renewed optimism as to the dynamism of England's top order.


There was little respite for the home side come day three too and Cook and Strauss both kicked on at a pace. As Cook passed fifty Strauss was closing in on another century making light work of the South Australia attack hitting the ball to all parts. His inevitable century was only marred by a switch dismissal shortly after, but 102 from just 121 deliveries meant his Strauss's innings was sure to be the talking point well beyond the stands in Adelaide.

Backed up by Jonathan Trott, Cook too cashed in on the final day and his 111 not out, including 18 fours and a six, will have gone some way to relieving the pressure that had begun to build after scores of 5, 9 and 32 in his three innings on the tour so far.


A rain interrupted afternoon meant England's bowlers were unable to forge any hopes of a victory, but two wickets for Jimmy Anderson proved once again that the man from Burnley may well have a bigger part to play in this series than some narrow-minded critics are suggesting.


All in all a very worthwhile outing for what appears to be still a very polished pom outfit. Every bowler grabbed a scalp despite limited opportunities and England were a class apart with the willow. A slight concern still hangs over Kevin Pietersen who was denied a second bite at the cherry this time around, and one can only hope that the frighteningly predictable nature of Alastair Cook's batting record does not become the subject of some smart-arse statistic relayed by one of Sky Sports' increasing smug Hollywood Elite!