England trail India by 29 runs at lunch

Mumbai, Nov 25 (IANS) England dominated the first session of play on the third day of the second cricket Test against India, scoring 298/4 at lunch, and trailed by just 29 runs at the Wankhede Stadium here Sunday.

Resuming the day at 178/2, England batsmen Alistair Cook and Kevin Pietersen first negotiated the early morning dew and then went on to score their respective 22nd centuries.

In−form skipper Cook made his second ton of the tour scoring 122, which included 13 boundaries and one splendid six while Pietersen was still batting at 138 when lunch was called. Pietersen also scored 17 fours and a six in the morning.

However, India pulled back things just before lunch.

Eight overs from lunch Ravichandran Ashwin struck for India as he clinched Cook, who was caught by Indian skipper and wicket−keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Playing in his fifth Test, 23−year−old Jonny Bairstow (9) lasted only 23 balls before he edged one off left−arm spinner Pragyan Ojha to be caught at silly point by Gautam Gambhir when lunch was called.

IANS 2012-11-25 12:00:47