Cook finds form with half-century before his opening partner notches England's first hundred of Ashes tour
Match Report:
ScorecardEngland bats answer call for runs
England's hierarchy demanded runs and the visitors' top order have answered the call in the most emphatic way, piling on 3-337 against the Cricket Australia XI in Townsville.
In what shapes as their last innings before next week's Ashes, out-of-form star Alastair Cook (70) was among four players to pass 50, while opener Mark Stoneman (111) became the first man to reach triple figures on tour.
SHOT! That's fifty for Cook, who bring up the first half-century of his #Ashes tour! #CAXIvENG pic.twitter.com/gewqjjqzlH
— Cricket Network (@CricketNetwork) November 16, 2017
Albeit against a flat and underwhelming attack, Cook's innings will alleviate some English concerns given the 32-year-old's importance at the top of the order.
Before Thursday's knock, he had scored just 47 runs at an average of 15.66 across two warm-up matches.
While still not as sharp as usual, he appeared to gain confidence through his innings before he was caught behind trying to cut left-arm orthodox spinner Matt Short to end an opening stand of 172.
Stoneman has had no such problems since arriving in Australia.
The 30-year-old has played just three Tests in his career but has passed 50 in each of his four warm-up innings.
The left-hander has looked at ease to anything full or on his legs. He struck 13 boundaries in his first century in English colours before scooping one back to legspinner Daniel Fallins (2-71) after tea.
The only other real chance he offered also came as a blow to the youngsters, after CA XI opener Nick Larkin was ruled out for the match having injured his finger in a fielding mishap.
Captain Joe Root (62) and Dawid Malan (57) reached their half-centuries in the last session before going to stumps unbeaten and soaking up time at the crease in a 120-run partnership.
James Vince was the only man not to fire, the No.3 caught in close from Fallins for 26.
But it still helped England to a lead of 87 by stumps, after allrounder Chris Woakes' 6-55 went a way towards rolling the hosts for 250 and putting him in the frame to fill the void left by Ben Stokes.
CA XI: Carder, Larkin, Gibson, Pucovski, Sangha, Short (c), Nielsen (wk), Milenko, Sandhu, Fallins, Conway #CAXIvENG #Ashes
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 14, 2017
England XI: Cook, Stoneman, Vince, Root (c), Malan, Bairstow (wk) Ali, Woakes, Overton, Broad, Crane #CAXIvENG #Ashes
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 14, 2017
Cricket Network will live stream England's tour match in Townsville on cricket.com.au and the CA Live app
Click above to learn more about Townsville or watch the great video below!
2017-18 International Fixtures:
Magellan Ashes Series
First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets
Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets
Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets
Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets
Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets
Gillette ODI Series v England
First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets
Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets
Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets
Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets
Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF
Prime Minister's XI
PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets
Gillette T20 INTL Series
First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets
Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets
Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets
Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 13
Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16
Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18
Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21