Alastair Cook's Ton Puts England Lions in Driver's Seat against India A

Alastair Cook, the former England skipper, is part of a strong squad of England Lions against India A. The opening batsman warmed himself with an unbeaten ton to gear up ahead of pivotal Test series.

The powered ton from Cook helped England Lions to get a solid start against India A on the first day of the only four-day unofficial Test. Earlier, England Lions opted to bat first against India A.

First day through figures

Alastair Cook slammed an unbeaten century of 154 runs off 238 balls. He reached to his ton while taking just 173 deliveries. He has found the fence 22 in the match till yet.

Earlier breakthrough

India got an early wicket in the form of opening batsman, Rory Burns. Navdeep Saini got the Surrey player for just five runs.

Nick Gubbins, Alastair Cook made the foundation

The duo of Gibbins and Cook held their nerve and put a partnership of 155 runs for the second wicket. In the 48th over, Gibbins nicked the ball towards Murali Vijay who took a sharp catch. Ankit Rajpoot provided this breakthrough, as Gibbins fell prey on him on the score of 73.

Alastair Cook continued to dominate over young Indian bowling lineup, as he added another 100-run partnership with the Test batsman, Dawid Malan.

At the end of the day one, Malan was batting on 59 off 127 balls which included four boundaries and was looking in supreme touch. When the rewards were hard to come by, both the bowlers Ankit Rajpoot and Saini shared one-one wicket.