Cook distracted by sweatband

England dropped five catches then forced a Victorian bowler to remove his headband during an eventful start to the three-day tour game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground yesterday.

Victoria declared their first innings at 216-2 with opener Michael Hill unbeaten on 105 after being dropped four times in his five-hour knock. David Hussey was 67 not out. He was dropped on 43. England reached 50-1 at the close with skipper Andrew Strauss unbeaten on 17 and Ian Bell on six.