Cook century leads England in Bridgetown

Alastair Cook scored his first England hundred in 35 innings as he led the tourists on a tough first day against the West Indies in Bridgetown.

The England skipper fell in the final over of the day for 105, but his innings was a standout performance after the Lions were reduced to 240/7 by close of play. Spin played a key role for the hosts, a sure sign that England and indeed Cook's runs are more valuable than first thought.

It was a tough start for England and Jonathan Trott in particular, as he was dismissed for his third duck in five innings. He was the first of three wickets to fall for 38 runs when the Warwickshire batsman was removed by Shannon Gabriel (2-36) and Gary Ballance failed to deliver after a promising start to the series in Antigua and Grenada when he was dismissed for 18.

The normally dependable Ian Bell became the second wicket to fall with the score at 38 and the second batsman to fall without getting off the mark when he was caught and bowled by Jason Holder (2-34). Cook then established a steady partnership with Joe Root (33) as they added 53 runs for the fourth-wicket stand, but left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul (1-86) ended their resistance when Root was caught behind by captain Denseh Ramdin.

Ali made a confident half-century for England

 

All-rounder Moeen Ali (58) made amends for his duck in the last Test with a superb half-century as he and Cook added a further 98 runs with a positive partnership for the visitors. Ali brought up his half-century with a towering six over mid-wicket before he was involved in a calamitous run out with the England skipper, coming off second best as he returned to the pavilion at 198/5.

Cook reached his 41st half-century in 139 deliveries before Ali was removed and Ben Stokes (22) added 44 with Cook, who was in pursuit of a Test century which had eluded him since May 2013 when he last reached three-figures against Australia.

Stokes fell before Cook reached his hundred, edging a delivery from Gabriel to Shai Hope at third slip at 233/6, before the England captain struck his twelfth boundary to reach his 26th Test hundred in 259 balls.

A third duck in five innings was not what Trott or England wanted.

 

The Essex opener played his way through the nervous nineties and was stuck on 99 for a short while, eventually clipping the ball through mid-wicket for four; much to the delight of the travelling fans and the relief of the England captain and management, who have persevered with Cook despite his long wait for a Test hundred.

But in the final over of the day, Cook was the next victim of the favourable conditions on offer for the spinners, as his back-foot cut was bottom-edged through to Ramdin, rewarding Marlon Samuels (1-61) for his 26-over stint without a wicket.