Cook shines in bad light of Lord's afternoon

First Test, Lord's (Day 1)

England 200-3 v West Indies

By Chris O'Keefe

Alistair Cook scored his fifth century of his still relatively short test career and showed a maturity at the crease that exceeds his 22 years of age as England clung to control of the opening test of the series.

It was an innings of good balls left well and bad balls belted to the fence and there was many of the latter early on as Cook and stand in captain Andrew Strauss put on 88 for the first wicket at an overcast Lord's already held back by the morning shower. The West Indies pace attack were wayward and spurned Ramnaresh Sarwan's decision to put England into bat. When they did strike England, and specifically Cook were settled and looking ominous as England only looked to defeat themselves.

Strauss gave away his wicket, playing off balance off the bowling of Daren Powell and providing a dolly for Devon Smith to take the first of three catches in the afternoon and evening sessions. Owais Shah, given a chance to stake his claim was squared up by Powell and left for only 6 and a saw head after taking a blow from a West Indies throw.

Suddenly England were being tested and needed to respond. Enter Kevin Pietersen, who with Cook (still plodding away) put on 59 to take England through tea and gloomy light according to the umpires, but not some of the fans.

Pietersen fell to Corey Collymore, who pitched up seemed to wait for the mistake. Pietersen obliged and chipped an innocuous looking ball to Smith in covers, 162-3 was giving England something to think about on Peter Moores first day in the coach's seat. Should he have picked Shah to bat three? Why was Bell batting six despite his relative experience?

Cook was still steaming towards his century, waiting for bad balls to come and they continued. His century came off a full toss from Daren Powell and it was complete. Cook briefly mentioned the possibility getting a double-century tomorrow, but with this ability and the attitude of a man that will take some stopping, he may get it.

The beauty for English fans is that he is still learning the game and yet his conversion rate equates to one century in every three tests. A stunning knock that could even be overshadowed by the light meters of the umpires that so infuriated the spectators who were only treated to 56 of the scheduled 90 overs. Those who are fortunate enough to have a ticket tomorrow (and by all accounts they may still be available) may be treated to far more, including a major England lead.

Picture: Keiran Galvin (Getty Images)