Ton-up Alastair Cook puts England in command

"It was excellent conditions to bat in today, 37 degrees (Celsius) and a good wicket to bat on," Cook said. "It was important to make the most of what our bowlers did yesterday. It was fantastic effort to dismiss them for 245.

The Essex left-hander helped himself to four with a cut off ineffectual spinner Xavier Doherty to reach his ton, his third against Australia.

Cook has now scored 15 Test centuries before the age of 26, equalling the achievement of Australian legend Don Bradman. Only India's Sachin Tendulkar, the leading Test run-scorer of all time, managed more, reaching three figures 19 times before his 26th birthday. The only time Cook looked in trouble came when he needed a review on 64 to survive after he was given out caught behind attempting to hook Peter Siddle in the 43rd over.
Replays showed that the ball hit Cook's arm rather than his bat and umpire Marais Erasmus reversed his decision.

"England are in a very good position, but the important thing for us is to make sure we stay in the fight," Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin said. "Test cricket is never easy and we have our backs to wall and we're in for a real fight."

Australia had early joy with the wicket of skipper Andrew Strauss in the day's opening over, but apart from Jonathan Trott's dismissal for 78 before tea it was unquestionably England's day. Cook and Trott put on 173 runs for the second wicket to kill off Australia's hopes of containing England's innings lead.

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