Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Cook panned for 'weak' dismissal in Ashes

Alastair Cook's form woes have continued after he failed to build on a promising start in the pink-ball Ashes Test.

Alastair Cook
England's Alastair Cook walks off after being dismissed for 37 in the first innings in Adelaide. (AAP)

Alastair Cook's form struggles have continued with the England veteran throwing away a promising start in the pink-ball Ashes Test.

Cook looked well set on 37 on day three at Adelaide Oval before prodding at a Nathan Lyon delivery outside off stump which he nicked to Steve Smith at first slip.

It was another blow for the visitors who were 4-102 late in Monday's opening session in reply to Australia's 8(dec)-442.

England's leading Test run-scorer arrived in Adelaide under plenty of scrutiny after twin failures in Brisbane and few runs in the tour matches.

Cook's two most recent centuries - 193 for county side Essex and 243 against the West Indies - both came in pink-ball cricket, and the tourists would've been hoping he would replicate those efforts.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

The 35-year-old looked to be in good touch at the start of his innings, working the ball nicely off his pads in trademark style.

But his eventual dismissal to offspinner Lyon belied his dogged reputation, leaving his side in peril and Australian great Mark Waugh bemused in the Triple M commentary box.

"Cook would be disappointed because he played well ... but that dismissal was a weak dismissal for a good player," Waugh said.

"It was a ball that did nothing."

Former Australian spinner Kerry O'Keefe said Cook could expect to be targeted through the series by Lyon, who has feasted on left-handers all year.

"Nathan Lyon's got 50 wickets against England ... there'll be more if Cook keeps playing that shot, "O'Keefe said.

"He'll have three slips and a gully in Sydney."


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world