Cook And Pietersen Partnership Drives England

Cook And Pietersen Partnership Drives England

Alastair Cook (left) and Kevin Pietersen put on a century partnership to revive England's fortunes

©REUTERS / Action Images

India 327 (Pujara 135, Panesar 5-129) v
England 177-2 (Cook 87no, Pietersen 62no)
Second Test, Mumbai, day two
Scorecard | Day One

England closed day two of the second Test against India in Mumbai on 177 for two having earlier dismissed their hosts for 327 with Alastair Cook again leading their charge.

He made an unbeaten 87 to build on the efforts of Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann, who shared nine of the 10 Indian wickets to fall, including that of Cheteshwar Pujara for 135.

Pujara was stumped - for the first time in his career - by Matthew Prior having faced 350 deliveries and England were able to make short work of the rest of the batting, Panesar returning five for 129 and Swann four for 70.

Ravichandran Ashwin added just eight to his overnight score before he was dismissed for 68.

England's openers Cook and Nick Compton added another half-century partnership, reaching 66 before Compton was caught at slip by Virender Sehwag off Pragyan Ojha for 29 and Jonathan Trott was subsequently trapped in front by the same bowler without scoring.

Cook and Kevin Pietersen then revived England's fortunes with contrasting half-centuries. Cook showed patience early on but hit 10 fours and a six while Pietersen was more aggressive, trusting his natural game to hit nine fours.

Pietersen had 62 in 85 balls at stumps.

© Cricket World 2012