Eng Pak T3 Day 3 Stumps: Cook Gets Century, But Pakistan Are on Top In the End

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Sreelata YellamrazuAug 20 2010

While Alastair Cook tasted some much desperately needed personal success, the England team find themselves in an awkward position at the end of the third day's play at the Kensington Oval in the third Test of the England Pakistan Test series.

aalstair cook hand on ear

The axe was hanging on Cook's neck even though the England team management and the England captain, Andrew Strauss, pledged to be by the struggling opener's side. Cook returned the favour and reposed the faith by striking it rich finally and perhaps timely, if England can make his innings count.

Trying to reduce Pakistan's first innings lead of seventy-five, England seem to bask rather well while wiping the lead and getting into an authoritative position themselves. Cook himself played a huge role on a personal and team level.

The third wicket partnership of 116 steered England away from early danger at three down for forty and the credit for that went to Cook who overcame several personal obstacles on the way to earning himself a timely Test century, that should count towards his booking his berth for the Ashes, but also, combining with Jonathan Trott to deny Pakistan.

saeed ajmal happy

But Pakistan did strike and when they did, they left England hanging precariously over the cliff. England finished the day at 221 for nine, leading by only 145 runs. The fall of seven wickets for only sixty-four runs in the latter half of the day can be attributed to the pace of young sensation, Mohammad Aamer, and off spinner, Saeed Ajmal, who picked up four wickets at a hasty pace to put England in a rather tight position.

Once again Pakistan hold the edge. But can they deliver? Day four awaits.

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