Big centuries for Cook, Carberry in Hobart

Hefty centuries from openers Michael Carberry and Alastair Cook carried England to a whopping total of 318 without loss on day one of the four-day tour match against Australia A in Hobart on Wednesday.
Hefty centuries from openers Michael Carberry and Alastair Cook carried England to a whopping total of 318 without loss on day one of the four-day tour match against Australia A in Hobart on Wednesday.
Jostling for position with the under-fire Joe Root ahead of the first Test, which will get underway in Brisbane on 21 November, Carberry afforded the selectors plenty of food for thought en route to a solid 153 not out.
Cook, who missed last week's drawn clash with the Western Australian Chairman's XI at the Western Australia Cricket Association Ground in Perth, marked a fine return to the XI with an authoritative 154 not out.
The pairing was marvelous, leaving an uninspired host attack riddled with questions – and potentially facing three more long sessions in the field come Thursday's proceedings at the Bellerive Oval. Indeed, Australia A's bowlers, which included part-timer Usman Khawaja, boast a mere 17 Test matches between them.
Cook and Carberry shared all of 41 fours, while the latter also struck two handsome sixes, deploying outstanding footwork to spinners Jon Holland and Glenn Maxwell. Root, meanwhile, pondered a new home in the middle order.
The conditions in Hobart are, admittedly, considerably easier for scoring than those on offer in Perth earlier this month. England, however, will know its the bowlers – not the batsmen – that require adequate match practice.
Perhaps an early declaration on day two, forsaking possible double centuries for Cook and Carberry, who was dropped at gully off the bowling of seamer Ben Cutting on 135, will facilitate this.
Latest
-
News
Dom Sibley to return to Surrey from Warwickshire at end of the season
Sibley has played all of his 22 Tests since joining the Bears.
-
News
James Anderson returns for England’s Test against India
Sam Billings also comes in as Ben Foakes and Jamie Overton miss out on the Edgbaston contest.
-
News
England name Sam Billings and James Anderson in XI for Test against India
Billings was drafted in at short notice for his second Test appearance against New Zealand last week as a Covid substitute for Ben Foakes.
-
News
Temporary stand collapses ahead of second day between Sri Lanka and Australia
Cricket Australia confirmed no one was underneath the small makeshift seating area.
-
News
Ali Orr helps Sussex to five-wicket win over Derbyshire
The 21-year-old opener was helped by partners Tom Alsop and Mohammad Rizwan.
-
England
Issy Wong living the dream as late wickets boost England against South Africa
The 20-year-old fast bowler made an impact on a rain-affected day three at Taunton.
-
England
England frustrated by the weather on third day of South Africa Test
South Africa were 51 for three at the close of play.
-
England
Issy Wong’s late double keeps England in control at Taunton
.England were rewarded for their patience during a lengthy rain delay.
-
England
James Anderson: England’s new-found confidence unlike anything I’ve seen before
Anderson first played for his country in 2002 and has lived through more than his fair share of new eras, reboots and fresh starts.
-
England
England paceman James Anderson keen to prove fitness ahead of India Test
The 39-year-old sat out the final match against New Zealand at Headingley due to concerns over his left ankle but says it now feels “pretty good”.