Cook Misses Triple As England Make India Suffer

Cook Misses Triple As England Make India Suffer

Alastair Cook is given a standing ovation following his innings of 294

©REUTERS/Philip Brown (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

India 224 (Dhoni 77) & 35-1 (Dravid 18no) v
England 710-7 dec. (Cook 294, Morgan 104)
Third Test, Edgbaston, day three
Scorecard | Day One | Day Two

Alastair Cook hit a ground-record score in Tests of 294 as England remained in complete control of the third Test against India at Edgbaston.

Cook fell six runs short of a triple-century as England declared their innings on 710 for seven in reply to India's 224 and the tourists then closed on 35 for one.

Cook batted for 13 hours, hit 33 fours and faced 545 balls and looked to be on course to become the first Englishman to register a triple since Graham Gooch in 1991 when he was caught by Suresh Raina at backward point off Ishant Sharma.

It was a slightly tame end to an outstanding innings as England drove India into the ground and then reinforced their dominance when Virender Sehwag was dismissed for a golden duck.

He became the third Indian to register a king pair having suffered the same fate in the first innings when he drove James Anderson into the hands of Andrew Strauss at slip.

Opening partner Gautam Gambhir was perhaps lucky to survive an excellent leg before shout from Graeme Swann - the review system would have seen him dismissed had England had the opportunity to review - but he lived to face another ball and ended the day unbeaten on 14 alongside Rahul Dravid, who had 18.

The day was mostly about Cook but he was well supported by Eoin Morgan, who made a fluent 104 in 199 balls with 11 fours, and then Tim Bresnan, whose 53 - most of them coming against the third new ball - further showcased his development as a high quality all-rounder.

He was at the crease because Morgan was caught by Sehwag at cover off Raina, Ravi Bopara made seven before he was trapped in front by Amit Mishra and Matthew Prior just five before he top-edged the same bowler to Sachin Tendulkar.

Morgan hit six fours and reached his half-century with a six. The crowd were anticipating another milestone soon after but it wasn't to be although Cook got a deserved standing ovation even if his disappointment at missing 300 was clear for all to see.

England, who lead the four-match series 2-0, dismissed India for 224 on the opening day after winning the toss and bowling first.

© Cricket World 2011