Cook ton leads Eng resistance

Skipper Alastair Cook compiled a patient and unbeaten century to lead England fightback as the visitors reached 286 for four in reply to India A's 369 on day two of their three-day warm up game, here today.

The left-handed opener struck 112, embellished with 13 fours, and shared a 153-run stand with Samit Patel (82) for the unfinished fifth wicket to help side recover from 133 for four at the Brabourne Stadium.

Patel had joined Cook just before tea, and has hit 12 boundaries in his 145-ball knock so far.

Cook was dropped on 88 by wicket keeper Wridhiman Saha off Yuvraj Singh, who claimed two of the four England wickets.

Yuvraj, who scored a fine 59 yesterday, dismissed Kevin Pietersen (23) and Ian Bell (5) in successive overs.

Home team skipper Suresh Raina had earlier given the breakthrough when he bowled Jonathan Trott (56) with a sharply turning ball as the batsman played back.

The captain's knock by Cook, who came to Indian shores on the back of a fine 115 against South Africa, and the supporting roles played by Trott and Patel were good preparations for England ahead of the start of the four-Test series against India starting on November 15 in Ahmedabad.

Cook prepared for the hard grind well as he added 95 runs for the second wicket with Trott, who batted for just under two hours and hit nine fours in 95 balls, before putting on a century stand with Patel.

Cook, who slammed a monumental 294 in the third Test at Edgbaston on India's disastrous tour of England last year, was concentration personified as he eschewed risky shots before going on the offensive with some excellent drives and cut shots.