Cook strikes form with a ton as England fight back

Alastair Cook ended the first real slump of his international career with an innings of 110 as England fought back in the third Test against Pakistan at The Oval here on Friday.

Alastair Cook ended the first real slump of his international career with an innings of 110 as England fought back in the third Test against Pakistan at The Oval here on Friday.

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But the match was still in the balance at tea on the third day.

England, looking to go 3-0 up in this four-match series, were 194 for three in their second innings, a lead of 119, with Pakistan still to bat.

Jonathan Trott was 36 not out and fellow South Africa-born batsman Kevin Pietersen 23 not out. Left-handed opener Cook had managed just 106 runs in his eight previous Test innings, at home against Bangladesh and Pakistan.

But the selectors’ decision to keep faith with him ahead of England’s Ashes defence in Australia later this year was rewarded with the 25-year-old Essex batsman's 13th hundred in 59 Tests and third in seven against Pakistan.

Cook dominated a third-wicket partnership of 116, contributing 87 runs to Trott's 25.

Brief scores (at tea): England 233 and 194 for 3 (A Cook 110) vs Pakistan 308.