Cricket: England on top at end of day two

On November 24, 2012

Cricket: Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen’s unbeaten century stand put England into a strong position at close of play on day two of the second Test against India.

The pair came together with England on 68-2 after Pragyan Ojha had taken two quick wickets in the afternoon session, Cook reaching 87 and Pietersen making 62 from 85 balls to steady the innings at 178-2.

The tourists had earlier dismissed India for 327, Monty Panesar completing a five-wicket haul and Graeme Swann finally ending Cheteshwar Pujara’s resistance at 135 after 18 hours of batting.

Openers Cook and Nick Compton seemed to be set fair, sharing a stand of 66, but the latter fell to Ojha after a patient 29 from 90 balls, edging the ball to Virender Sehwag at slip. Jonathan Trott departed in the next over for a six ball duck, trapped lbw.

India were on top but Cook and Pietersen patiently batted their way back into the match in the evening session, gradually becoming more aggressive as the day wore on.

England will be cautiously optimistic of batting on in day three and winning the match to level the series, which can be backed at 11/5. An India victory is at 11/10, while a draw is available at 13/5.

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