Alastair Cook made an unbeaten 106 and his Test opening partner Andrew Strauss 88 as England took full advantage of an opportunity for batting practice on the second day of a two-day cricket match against Western Australia on Sunday.
Cook and Strauss shared a 183-run partnership in England's total of 356 for four as the match, designed to give the tourists experience of Perth's WACA ground ahead of the third Ashes Test which starts there on Thursday, faded to a draw.
Western Australia declared its first innings early Sunday at 322 for eight after allowing overnight batsman Luke Pomersbach to reach an unbeaten century. Pomersbach was 101 not out when the declaration was made.
England then had the best part of a day to practice on the WACA pitch and Cook and Strauss made full use of the opportunity, playing composed and enterprising innings.
Cook batted 217 minutes and struck 14 fours before retiring and Strauss spent 171 minutes in the middle, hitting 12 fours before he was bowled.
Wicketkeeper Geraint Jones squandered his opportunity when he was out to a first-ball duck but Chris Read, his potential replacement in England's third test squad which will be named Monday, cashed in with a tidy unbeaten 59.
{{/usCountry}}Wicketkeeper Geraint Jones squandered his opportunity when he was out to a first-ball duck but Chris Read, his potential replacement in England's third test squad which will be named Monday, cashed in with a tidy unbeaten 59.
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