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| Alastair Cook faces just six deliveries in curtain-raiser in Abu Dhabi | Alastair Cook faces just six deliveries in curtain-raiser in Abu Dhabi |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| As preparation for next month’s England tour to the Caribbean goes, Alastair Cook was always setting himself the trickiest of assignments when he agreed to face the pink Kookaburra ball for the first time in his first-class career in MCC’s traditional summer curtain-raiser against the county champions, Yorkshire, in Abu Dhabi. | As preparation for next month’s England tour to the Caribbean goes, Alastair Cook was always setting himself the trickiest of assignments when he agreed to face the pink Kookaburra ball for the first time in his first-class career in MCC’s traditional summer curtain-raiser against the county champions, Yorkshire, in Abu Dhabi. |
| The Test captain is now just six deliveries the wiser, falling forward a fraction as a full, straight one from a former international teammate thudded into the middle of his right pad and the umpire’s finger went up. One scoring shot, three runs, pinned lbw by the left-arm seamer. Time in the middle: 12 minutes. | The Test captain is now just six deliveries the wiser, falling forward a fraction as a full, straight one from a former international teammate thudded into the middle of his right pad and the umpire’s finger went up. One scoring shot, three runs, pinned lbw by the left-arm seamer. Time in the middle: 12 minutes. |
| If these are simply the facts it is because it would feel harsh to draw too many conclusions. Before this briefest of stays at the crease, Cook had just one hit – a more fluent 35 from 24 balls in an unofficial Twenty20 match on Friday – in the 13 weeks since he was jettisoned from England’s one-day plans for the Cricket World Cup. | If these are simply the facts it is because it would feel harsh to draw too many conclusions. Before this briefest of stays at the crease, Cook had just one hit – a more fluent 35 from 24 balls in an unofficial Twenty20 match on Friday – in the 13 weeks since he was jettisoned from England’s one-day plans for the Cricket World Cup. |
| Such tin-leggedness after time out from the game is hardly uncommon, even if three of his six dismissals on that ill-fated pre-Christmas tour to Sri Lanka were similarly leg before. Just ask Nick Compton, who suffered the indignity of getting out to the first ball of the English season – caught behind driving a ball off the wrong length – to make his and Cook’s reprisal of their six-month international opening partnership the briefest of reunions. | Such tin-leggedness after time out from the game is hardly uncommon, even if three of his six dismissals on that ill-fated pre-Christmas tour to Sri Lanka were similarly leg before. Just ask Nick Compton, who suffered the indignity of getting out to the first ball of the English season – caught behind driving a ball off the wrong length – to make his and Cook’s reprisal of their six-month international opening partnership the briefest of reunions. |
| Ryan Sidebottom was the executioner on both occasions as MCC were bowled out for 221 in 67.5 overs – after captain Compton won the toss elected to bat – with Yorkshire reaching 82-2 by stumps at 9.48pm local time. “I’ve played against Cooky a few times and seen him play a lot,” said the former England fast-medium. “I suppose he gets across a little bit to the left-armer, so it was nice to swing a few away, get one to hold its line and it get his wicket. It was flush middle and I’d have been disappointed if the umpire’s finger had not gone up. | Ryan Sidebottom was the executioner on both occasions as MCC were bowled out for 221 in 67.5 overs – after captain Compton won the toss elected to bat – with Yorkshire reaching 82-2 by stumps at 9.48pm local time. “I’ve played against Cooky a few times and seen him play a lot,” said the former England fast-medium. “I suppose he gets across a little bit to the left-armer, so it was nice to swing a few away, get one to hold its line and it get his wicket. It was flush middle and I’d have been disappointed if the umpire’s finger had not gone up. |
| “But Cooky’s had a quite a big break and had a lot on his mind. The break will have done him a world of good. Alright, he was out lbw, but so what? He might get a few second innings and he’s a fantastic player who will lead England out against West Indies.” | “But Cooky’s had a quite a big break and had a lot on his mind. The break will have done him a world of good. Alright, he was out lbw, but so what? He might get a few second innings and he’s a fantastic player who will lead England out against West Indies.” |
| This is the sixth edition of the Champion County fixture to be held at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium as MCC’s experiment with day-night first-class cricket continues. Sidebottom later expressed concerns over how the pink ball scuffs up, while going on to admit difficulty seeing it in the field. The first three wickets came in the natural light, the last of which ended a counter-attacking stand of 74 between Michael Carberry and James Hildreth. | This is the sixth edition of the Champion County fixture to be held at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium as MCC’s experiment with day-night first-class cricket continues. Sidebottom later expressed concerns over how the pink ball scuffs up, while going on to admit difficulty seeing it in the field. The first three wickets came in the natural light, the last of which ended a counter-attacking stand of 74 between Michael Carberry and James Hildreth. |
| Somerset’s Hildreth top-scored for MCC with 89 from 118 balls, the bulk of which came square of the wicket on a pitch offering turn. But his dismissal at 6pm – trapped lbw by Tim Bresnan’s nagging line – was the first as the lights took over from the fading sun, after which the last six fell for just 61 runs as Will Rhodes, Jack Brooks and Adil Rashid picked up two apiece. | Somerset’s Hildreth top-scored for MCC with 89 from 118 balls, the bulk of which came square of the wicket on a pitch offering turn. But his dismissal at 6pm – trapped lbw by Tim Bresnan’s nagging line – was the first as the lights took over from the fading sun, after which the last six fell for just 61 runs as Will Rhodes, Jack Brooks and Adil Rashid picked up two apiece. |
| For his own disappointment, Cook will, at least, have been encouraged by the performances of two of the three Yorkshire players who will feature in his touring squad for the trip to the Caribbean, with the leg-spinner Rashid demonstrating good control and at least four variations to finish with two for 51. | For his own disappointment, Cook will, at least, have been encouraged by the performances of two of the three Yorkshire players who will feature in his touring squad for the trip to the Caribbean, with the leg-spinner Rashid demonstrating good control and at least four variations to finish with two for 51. |
| Cook was able to watch from first slip as Adam Lyth made good on a pre-match vow to impress his new England captain following his recent call up and will resume Yorkshire’s reply on day two with 53 to his name. This compact left-hander looked the most at ease batting under lights and stated his case to become his ninth opening partner in Test cricket. | |
| Another to catch the eye was all-rounder and former England Under-19 captain Rhodes on his first-class debut, who bowled a tight line of medium-fast to take two for 10 in six overs during MCC’s collapse. Graham Onions, who was the second of those victims, will be have a groin problem assessed on Monday after pulling up lame with one ball of his fourth over remaining in Yorkshire’s innings. | Another to catch the eye was all-rounder and former England Under-19 captain Rhodes on his first-class debut, who bowled a tight line of medium-fast to take two for 10 in six overs during MCC’s collapse. Graham Onions, who was the second of those victims, will be have a groin problem assessed on Monday after pulling up lame with one ball of his fourth over remaining in Yorkshire’s innings. |