Sir Alastair Cook stands tall for Essex as they respond to Somerset at Lord’s
Sir Alastair Cook was leading Essex’s first-innings response on day three of the Bob Willis Trophy final, defying Somerset throughout the morning session at Lord’s.
The Taunton side were bowled out for 301 at the end of the second day’s play, with Essex reaching 79 for one at lunch.
Cook was responsible for 46 of them, the former England captain looking ominously well set after coming through a testing opening spell.
Somerset’s attack has been in prime form in the competition, having run through their Central Group opponents comfortably – three times bowling teams out for 76 or under on three occasions and conceding a top score of 200 against Worcestershire.
Craig Overton and Josh Davey turned in a strong showing with the new ball and will wonder how they did not make a breakthrough in the first 10 overs. Cook was given a tricky welcome by Overton, swishing uncharacteristically loosely outside off stump on a couple of occasions and edging short of slip twice while still in single figures.
On one occasion Overton bellowed his frustration as Cook diverted just over gully, with his yell echoing around the empty ground. But Cook began to settle as soon as the bowlers began drifting towards his pads and opening up his scoring areas between square and fine-leg.
Browne lasted 14 overs but never got away, eking out eight in 47 balls before Lewis Gregory had him caught at slip immediately after going round the wicket.
Cook grew in authority with a strong pull off Overton and summoned a pair of elegant cover drives off Gregory to take his side past 50.
He progressed to 46 not out at the interval, sharing a stand of 52 with captain Tom Westley who worked his way to 20no.
Latest
-
News
Andrew Flintoff set to make mark as Northern Superchargers open Hundred draft
The former England captain and 2005 Ashes hero will act as head coach for the Headingley-based side this summer.
-
Women's Cricket
It’s a lot of fun – Heather Knight still enjoying captaining England
Knight succeeded Charlotte Edwards, who had a decade-long stint in the position, in June 2016.
-
England
On this day in 2018: Kevin Pietersen retires from professional cricket
The latter years of the Pietermaritzburg-born maverick’s career were spent on the T20 circuit.
-
England
Jofra Archer snaps off stump on impressive return from injury in India
The 28-year-old took two for 22 in seven overs.
-
County Cricket
Darren Gough steps down as managing director of cricket at Yorkshire
Gough said it was the “right time” to move on having been in the post since December 2021.
-
England
On this day in 2004: Steve Harmison takes seven for 12 against West Indies
The pace bowler produced a devastating spell at Sabina Park 20 years ago.
-
England
Jos Buttler feels refreshed and ready to enjoy ‘best years’ of his career
England’s white-ball team endured a poor 2023 which culminated in the disastrous defence of their World Cup crown in India.
-
England
Jos Buttler confident ‘special cricketer’ Jofra Archer will be fit for World Cup
Archer has not represented his country since last March when he featured in a T20 match in Bangladesh.
-
Indian Premier League
England batter Harry Brook withdraws from IPL following death of his grandmother
Brook pulled out of England’s five-Test tour to India before the squad flew out from their training camp in the United Arab Emirates.