Ashes Opener Drawn As Cook Hits Career-Best Score

Ashes Opener Drawn As Cook Hits Career-Best Score

Alastair Cook (left) hits out during his Test-best unbeaten 235 in Brisbane

©Action Images / Jason O'Brien Livepic

England 260 & 517-1 (Cook 235no) drew with
Australia 481 (Hussey 195) & 107-1
First Ashes Test, Brisbane
Scorecard

Alastair Cook registered a Test-best score of 235 not out as England racked up 517 for one before the opening Ashes Test against Australia was drawn in Brisbane.

England declared with Cook and Jonathan Trott, on 135, both unbeaten and having added 329 for the second wicket and Australia closed on 107 for one having been set 296 to win the match.

England resumed in the lofty position of 309 for one - a lead of 88 - and they were not to lose another wicket in the match as Cook powered past his previous best effort of 173 and then registered a maiden first-class double-century, facing 361 balls to do so.

Australia were powerless to prevent the onslaught of runs and they missed further chances in the field as Trott advanced to his second Ashes century in just his fourth innings and his fourth overall, getting there in good time by facing 213 deliveries.

Australia then lost Simon Katich for five as they began their second innings poorly, when the left-hander was caught by Andrew Strauss off Stuart Broad but an unbroken 102-run stand for the second wicket between opener Shane Watson (41) and captain Ricky Ponting (51) ended England's slim victory hopes.

The game proved to be one which swung both ways, with England dismissed cheaply on day one largely thanks to a Peter Siddle hat-trick, unable to contain Michael Hussey and Brad Haddin as Australia hit back to take a big lead and then fighting back in stunning fashion to dominate the final two days.

The second Test in Adelaide gets underway on 3rd December.

© Cricket World 2010

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