Cook approaches maiden triple century, England 422 runs ahead

Birmingham, Aug 12 (PTI) Opener Alastair Cook scored a
career-best and unbeaten 266 as England tightened their grip
over the third Test match against India by extending their
lead to a massive 422 runs at tea on the third day of the
third cricket Test here Friday.
Cook, showing monumental patience, hardly played a rash
stroke and was well past his personal best score of 235 as
England took tea at 646 for six.
Cook so far has batted for 703 minutes and grinded Indian
attack down for 518 balls, hitting 29 fours and giving him
company was Tim Bresnan (19).
Cook's overnight partner Eoin Morgan (104) scored his
second Test century and the duo put on 222 runs for the fourth
wicket. Morgan batted against his normal aggressive style to
compile 104 runs from 199 balls with the help of 11 fours.
The three wickets -- Morgan, Ravi Bopara (7), Matt Prior
(5) -- which India took in the session mattered less in the
context of the series and the visitors' position as the top
team of the world.
England is closing in on their highest total ever against
India —- 653 runs made at Lord's during the 1990 series. They
are already past their best against India at this ground -—
633 made against Venkatraghvan's team in 1979.
Cook too has managed a personal milestone for himself as
he is past his previous best score of 235, made against
Australia at Brisbane last year.