Cook And Bell Hit Centuries
Alastair Cook and Ian Bell hit centuries as England amassed a huge first innings lead of 342 against Pakistan on day two of the second Test at Old Trafford.
Cook made a career-best 127 and Bell finished 106 not out as England declared on 461-9, with a lead of 342.
Cook and Paul Collingwood (48) added 119 and Bell put on 73 with Steve Harmison, who made 26.
But there was cause for alarm in the England camp when strike bowler Steve Harmison left the field after bowling a single over, with pain in his side, as Pakistan reached 12-0.
Much will rest on the Durham man’s fitness if England are not to let the tourists off the hook for the second Test in succession.
Under pressure batsman Ian Bell hopes his second century of the series against Pakistan will secure his place in the England side.
“From ball one it felt fantastic to be out there, I feel in good form and the footwork is going well”, he said.
“It’s nice to get in the team and score some runs, I’ve enjoyed batting at six but I’ll keep pressing to get up the order, we’re all fighting for places.”
Looking ahead in the second Test he added: “There’s enough happening with the scoreboard pressure we have.”
Bell looked in commanding form throughout his innings but insisted that there was no deliberate change to a more attacking game.
“I’ve been working hard on my starts, it’s an area I can improve on and it’s nice to get a few boundaries early on.”
On the vagaries of the number six position he said: “Waiting four hours at Lord’s and two hours here brings its own pressure.”
“But I’ll keep fighting and working on all parts of my game, I want to play for England for as long as I can.”
England’s other centurion, Alastair Cook, revealed that a former England legend was an inspiration for his third Test century in only his seventh match.
Cook spent some valuable time with Essex batting coach Graham Gooch at Chelmsford last week.
“At Lord’s I wasn’t at my best but last week I worked with Goochy on a few technical issues helping me to time the ball better and the hard work paid off.”
“The second new ball nipped a round a bit but it’s a good wicket and if you get in you can score on it.”