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Cook century leads England to draw but Windies stay in front

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-03-04 15:01

BRIDGETOWN: Alastair Cook scored his first century in 16 tests as England drew the fourth test with West Indies, making 279 for two on the final day at the Kensington Oval.

The result means West Indies head into Friday's final test in Port of Spain, Trinidad, 1-0 up and knowing they cannot be beaten in the series - the first time they have avoided defeat in a test series against England since 1998.

From the lunch break onwards, the game consisted of little more than televised batting practice for Cook, whose unbeaten 139 was his highest test score, and Kevin Pietersen (72 not out) - the pair making a 150-run partnership.

A flat, placid batting wicket resulted in first innings totals of 600 for England and 749 for West Indies and with little sign of deterioration on the final day, the game petered out into a draw.

Until last week there had never been a test featuring scores of over 600 and 700 and there have now been two after Pakistan and Sri Lanka produced a similar result in Karachi - and those drawn tests will re-open the debate on whether wickets are now overly friendly for batsmen.

At the start of play on Monday, there was a lingering notion of an upset if West Indies could pick up some early wickets and put England, who had collapsed to 51 all out in the first test, under pressure.

It swiftly became apparent that the tourists were going to cruise through the day - even a spell of aggressive pace bowling from Fidel Edwards did little to create a sense of a surprise in the air.

Resuming, 143 runs behind West Indies, England's opening pair of Andrew Strauss and Cook confidently put on 88 for the first wicket.

Skipper Strauss fell for 38 to his counterpart Chris Gayle - chopping an attempted cut onto his own wicket.

After lunch Owais Shah went for 21, lbw to Benn after being struck plumb on the toe but Cook and Pietersen put on a 104 run partnership before tea as the result became inevitable.

West Indies have named an unchanged squad for the final test at Queen's Park while England will ponder a few options, particularly to their bowling attack.

Agencies