Alastair Cook’s typically grinding effort of 46 not-out in his final Test innings before international retirement has left England in a strong position in the fifth Test against India at the Oval on Sunday.
England were 114 for 2 in their second innings at stumps on the third day, a lead of 154 runs, having already won the five-match Test series at 3-1 up.
Now Cook and captain Joe Root (unbeaten 29), will look to pile on the agony for India when they resume their unbroken third-wicket partnership of 52 on Monday.
Earlier, India’s all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja made an excellent comeback in Test cricket by starring with both bat and ball.
Jadeja, playing his first Test of the series after being recalled in place of the injured Ravichandran Ashwin, added to his haul of four first-innings wickets by top-scoring with 86 not-out in India’s first-innings total of 292.
Here is how the Twitter world reacted to the action all through the day:
Alastair Cook remains unbeaten!
He is 46*, within 29 runs of Kumar Sangakkara in the all-time Test runscorers chart.
England are 114/2, leading by 154. How far can they extend their lead tomorrow?
Follow #ENGvIND live ⬇️https://t.co/LQoNOzv9xA pic.twitter.com/sy33rArxF2
— ICC (@ICC) September 9, 2018
Virat is the best Batsman in the World .. #Fact .. Virat is the worst reviewer in the World .. #Fact #ENGvsIND
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) September 9, 2018
Cook playing his last inn for @ECB_cricket I think jennings also played his last inn for England for a while at least @SkyCricket 5th Test #ENGvIND what r ur thoughts guys ??
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 9, 2018
In spite of a really good comeback, India still behind in this test match.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 9, 2018
Cook nudging & nurdling 45 runs in over 3hrs is his perfect farewell innings.
I'll miss the great entertainer when he's gone. pic.twitter.com/162WV6c1do— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 9, 2018
Since Alastair Cook made his Test debut, he has hit more ones, twos, threes and fours than any other Test player. 102 players have hit more sixes than him in that time. #ENGvIND
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 9, 2018
People who don't know where Keaton Jennings's off stump is:
Ravi Jadeja
Virat Kohli
Keaton JenningsPeople who do:
Mohammed Shami— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) September 9, 2018
Seriously youths – sack off school and come watch Alastair Cook. https://t.co/iOWN4lvJ0I
— Vithushan Ehantharajah (@Vitu_E) September 9, 2018
50 on Debut for Vihari as India start well,finally some late order runs for them.. #ENGvIND
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) September 9, 2018
Keaton Jennings may have completed his last test innings ahead of Alistair Cook #engvindia
— Mr G (@iangills) September 9, 2018
Four wickets in the first innings of an overseas Test for Jadeja…a measured half century to boot. Don’t be surprised if Jadeja plays ahead of Ashwin in the first Test vs Aus. #Impressive
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 9, 2018
Ishant has to go wider of the crease, closer to the Return crease to avoid creating foot marks for Moeen Ali. #ENGvIND
— Laxman Sivaramakrishnan (@LaxmanSivarama1) September 9, 2018
