Fifth Test: Cook's historic ton puts England in control
London, Sep 10 : A 129-run partnership between opener Alastair Cook (103 batting) and Joe Root (92 batting) put England in the driver's seat in the fifth and final Test against India at the Oval here on Monday.
Cook, playing his last Test, notched up his 33rd Test ton and also became the fifth batsman in the history of the game to hit a ton both in his debut and final games.
The England opener had also scored a century in the second innings of his debut Test, against India, in Nagpur in 2006. Riding on the duo's partnership, England now has a 283-run lead with five more sessions of play left.
Cook, 33, meanwhile also became the highest Test run-scorer among the left-handed batsmen as he went past Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara (12400), adding another achievement to his illustrious career.
Earlier, resuming the fourth day at 114/2, both the English batsmen looked in solid control, making the visitors struggle for a breakthrough.
After being bowled out for 332 in their first innings, the hosts restricted India to 292 all out to take a 40-run lead. England were on 243/2 when the umpires called for the lunch break.
Brief scores: England 332 and 243/2 (Alastair Cook 103, Joe Root 92; Mohammed Shami 1/50) vs India 292 at Lunch on Day 4.
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Minor girl kidnapped and raped; main accused and two cafe owners held
Latur (PTI): A minor girl was allegedly kidnapped and raped by an 18-year-old man in Latur, leading to the arrest of the main accused and owners of two cafes where the crime occurred on December 4, police said on Saturday.
Police traced the girl within hours of registering the complaint. The accused, identified as Rihan Gulab Shaikh, was arrested based on the girl's complaint. Two others are owners of two cafes where the crime occurred, police said.
Police registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), POCSO Act, and the Prevention of Atrocities Act, an official said.
