KOLKATA – Riding on a brilliant ton by skipper Alastair Cook, England put itself in a commanding position on the second day of the crucial third cricket Test match against India at the Eden Gardens here Thursday. After restricting India for 316, England raced to 216-1 at stumps only 100 runs behind the hosts. Cook (136 not out) and Jonathan Trott (21 not out) were at the crease. Cook continued his dominance over the Indian bowlers and posted his third century of the series and partnered a stoutly defending Nick Compton (57) to take England in a resounding position. Cook's magical innings saw him reaching several batting milestones. On 88, the 27-year-old southpaw became the youngest ever batsman to reach 7,000 Test runs. The previous record was held by Sachin Tendulkar who reached the milestone at 28. He swept offie Ravichandran Ashwin for three in the 52nd over to reach the magical three-figure mark and in the process surpassed England greats Wally Hammond, Geoffrey Boycott and Colin Cowdry to become the first England batsman to score 23 Test centuries. India's only success came in the 53rd over when trying to sweep Prgayan Ojha, Compton, who scored his maiden Test fifty, was adjudged leg before. There was also some excitement after umpire Rod Tucker initially shook his head in the negative before raising his finger. Cook and Compton stitched together a first wicket partnership of 165 in 53 overs. Trott then joined Cook in the middle and the duo took England past 200. Chairman's XI dominates Scott Henry blasted an unbeaten 172 and Glenn Maxwell cracked 91 as a Chairman's XI gave the touring Sri Lankans a tough initiation to their Australian tour in Canberra Thursday. The invitational side amassed 390 for four off 90 overs to subject the Sri Lankans to a dispiriting hot day in the field chasing the ball. In Sri Lanka's only lead-up match to next week's first of three Tests against Australia in Hobart there was little joy for a lame bowling attack. With star spinner Rangana Herath, leading pace bowler Nuwan Kulasekara and vice-captain Angelo Mathews rested, Sri Lanka's bowlers were pasted by the home batsmen. — Agencies
