Alastair Cook continued to defy Australia's bowlers with a clinical unbeaten 136 to help drive England to a first-innings lead of 72 with eight wickets in hand after second day of the second Ashes test on Saturday.
Cook, who made 235 not out in the second innings of the drawn first test, looked immovable alongside Kevin Pietersen, who was unbeaten on 85, as England ended a blistering day at the Adelaide Oval on 317-2 in response to Australia's 245.
The 25-year-old Cook pumped his fist in delight after bringing up his 15th test century by cutting a terrible ball from spinner Xavier Doherty for four, summing up the contempt he showed to any loose bowling that came his way.
Image: England batsman Alastair Cook (L) celebrates his century as Australian captain Ricky Ponting (R) looks on, on the second day of the second Ashes cricket Test match, in Adelaide on December 4, 2010.
Text: Reuters
Images: AFP