England extend lead to 193 against India

KOLKATA: England consolidated their position against India extending the first innings lead to 193 runs with still four wickets in hand when the play ended on third day of the third cricket Test here at Eden Gardens on Friday.

However, skipper Alastair Cook was unlucky to have missed out on a double ton as he was run out on 190 and Jonathan Trott failed to reach his eighth Test hundred as he was caught behind on 87 but England were comfortably placed at 509 for six

Resuming the day at 216 for one, England rode on a 173-run second wicket partnership between Cook and Trott, who returned to form with a brilliant 87, to pile on the misery for India.

Captain Cook's record-breaking eight-hour-and-12 minute innings finally came to an end in a freak manner when he was run out by a direct throw from Virat Kohli.

While backing up from the non-striker's end, Cook was caught short off the crease by Kohli's direct shy at the stumps.

Cook faced 377 balls during his record-breaking knock and hit 23 fours and two sixes.

As he was approaching his third double century, Cook slowed down a bit while India kept attacking Pietersen at the other end.

This was Cook's seventh 150-run knock as he became English leading century makers with 23 tons to his credit. He also is the youngest to join the 7,000-run club when he achieved the feat at 27 years and 347 days.

As far as the series is concerned, he has so far accumulated 547 runs at an average of 136.75 with 26 hours and one minute stay in the middle.

Cook's dismissal came shortly after Ojha gave India the first breakthrough of the day almost an hour after the lunch when Trott edged one India skipper Manhendra Singh Dhoni behind the stumps.