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Cook hits century v India in his last Test

Alastair Cook has cracked a ton in his final Test innings as England moved to a sizeable lead against India.

cricket Cook
England's Alastair Cook scored a century in his final Test innings. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Alastair Cook scored a century in his final Test innings as England took complete control on day four of the fifth Test against India at the Oval on Monday.

Playing in his 161st and final Test match, England's leading Test run-scorer began the day on 46 and played fluidly to bring up his 33rd Test century from 210 balls.

He is 103 not out at lunch.

Cook's 181-run third-wicket partnership with his successor as captain, Joe Root (81 not out), has taken England's second innings to 2-243, establishing a 283-run lead.

Cook, who scored 71 in England's first innings, had already received two standing ovations on Monday before reaching three figures. First he brought up his half century, securing a Test career average of above 45 in the process.

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Then, on reaching 76, Cook became fifth highest Test run-scorer of all time, going past Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakarra's 12,400 to also become the leading left-handed batsman.

He brought up the landmark he and the crowd wanted most in the strangest of circumstances, as what appeared to be a single to take him to 97, became five, as Jasprit Bumrah's throw to the non-striker's end went for four overthrows, taking Cook to 101.

England already holds an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series, but are well placed to widen their victory margin.

Cook's finale comes at the same London ground that Australian great Donald Bradman made a duck at in his final Test innings, denying him a career average of above 100.


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