Cook warms up with century

Date released: 11 January 2012

Alastair Cook scored 133 off 260 balls to help England recover from an uncertain start in their final warm up game before next week's first Test against Pakistan.

Cook celebrates his century The day didn't start brightly for England, facing a Pakistan Cricket Board XI who were determined to make early in roads. At 14 for two, after Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott fell cheaply to Mohammad Talha, things were looking a little desperate.

The stage was now set for Cook to once more take responsibility for stabilising the innings, which he did with Kevin Pietersen (38) putting on 83 for the third wicket.

It looked like Yasir Shah may deny Cook his century, by removing all remaining batting partners when he picked up the wickets of Pietersen and Ian Bell in the space of three deliveries. He then had Eoin Morgan caught at deep square-leg not long afterwards.

Thankfully for Cook though, Matt Prior arrived at the crease in his first game of the tour and gave much needed support.

The pair put 90 runs on together, in which time Cook passed his century in 206 balls.

Cook was eventually out for 133, with England declaring on 269-9.

The pick of the Pakistan Cricket Board XI's bowlers were Yasir Shah (5-76) and Mohammad Talha (4-42).

There was enough time left in the day for the Pakistan Cricket Board XI to face 8 overs, which they survived unscathed to finish on 22-0.

Play resumes tomorrow, when England will hope to see some promise from a bowling attack not featuring the rested James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

With injured Tim Bresnan now back in England, Graham Oninons and Chris Tremlett will be keen to impress ahead of next Tuesday's First Test Match.