Alastair Cook chiselled out an unbeaten half century on his England farewell as the hosts reached 123-1 at tea on day one of fifth test against India at the Oval on Friday. The 33-year-old, who announced his retirement from international cricket on Monday saying he had "nothing left in the tank", showed why he is his country's leading test run scorer with a gritty 66 not out from 177 balls.Moeen Ali was with him on 23. With England having taken a decisive 3-1 series lead in Southampton, all eyes were on former captain Cook as he began his 161st and final test, eager to end a magnificent 12-year career with a flourish. After an emotional entrance there was relief all round as Cook got off the mark by pushing Ishant Sharma through the covers for three, taking him past 1,000 test runs at the Oval. England were 68-1 at lunch but led a charmed life after it as Bumrah, Sharma and Mohammed Shami repeatedly beat the bat.

Source: dna September 07, 2018 15:00 UTC