Alastair Cook misses double ton; England take mammoth 193-run lead

Captain Alastair Cook continued to torment India with a monumental knock of 190 as England put themselves in the driver's seat by taking a mammoth 193 runs first innings lead in the third cricket Test here today.

Cook produced another magnificent effort before was run-out in a freak manner while Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen also made significant contributions with scores of 87 and 54 respectively with England reaching a massive 509 for six at the end of the third day's play.

At stumps, Matt Prior on 40 and Graeme Swann on 21 had added 56 runs for the undefeated seventh wicket partnership to compound India's misery.

On yet another frustrating day for Indian bowlers, Pragyan Ojha was the leading wicket-taker with his 3/140, while Ishant Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin managed a wicket each as seniormost pacer Zaheer Khan bowled 29 wicketless overs.

Cook's marathon effort spanned over eight hours and 12 minutes and he added 173 runs with Trott for the second wicket after being involved in a 165-run opening wicket stand with Nick Compton.

Resuming the day at 216 for one, England slowly built on their lead as the day progressed while Cook's masterclass century brought the best from Trott who signalled his return to form with a responsible knock after two ducks in the first two Tests.

With two days left in the match, England seem to be in a position from where they can push for a 2-1 lead in the four-match series. the Indians, on the other hand, will have to bat out of their skins in the second innings to save the game.

The inept Indian bowling and equally poor fielding did not help the cause as England gained heavily.

In their pursuit for an unassailable 2-1 lead, England remained in course for a big lead with two more days to go in the third Test at Eden where India never lost a Test since 1999.

... contd.

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