Strauss & Cook Reduce England’s Deficit

Strauss and Cook set the pace

England Captain Andrew Strauss and opening partner Alastair Cook helped steer England towards a draw.  Both players hit centuries with Strauss notching up (110) and Cook (132 not out). A half-century from Jonathan Trott once Strauss was dismissed by Marcus North helped put England on course to escape the Gabba with an unexpected draw against Australia.

The tourists had reached 309-1, giving them a lead of 88, in their second innings when bad light ended play. Both Strauss and Cook almost cleared the deficit after Australia totalled an impressive 481 in the 1st innings.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Andrew Strauss said: "It was obviously important the two of us stood up and batted for the majority of the day. That gives us the psychological advantage going into tomorrow.

"Last night was pretty tricky so coming out this morning the ball was a bit older. It's always important you don't go too much into your shell."

Strauss was determined to bounce back after getting out to just the third ball on the opening day of the series on Thursday.

He said: "It was probably one of the worst feelings I have had in cricket following all the build-up to the game."

Cook has been clocking up the runs; he hit 132 to a half-century in the first innings, He Said: "It was very satisfying. I said at the start of the tour I had a point to prove. In my last two series against Australia I hadn't done that well.

"Over the last 12 months I've had a bit of a tinker with my technique and tried to improve it. The results today, I'm very happy with."

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