Matt Prior. -Photo by AFP

KOLKATA: Alastair Cook fell just short of a double ton as England piled on the runs on the third day of the third Test in Kolkata on Friday.

Starting the day at 216-1, India found the pitch a bit more supportive than the previous day but England still managed a lead of 193 at stumps, closing at 509 for six.

Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen scored half centuries as Cook was run out in a bizarre manner at 190. Matt Prior and Graeme Swann shared a partnership of fifty to guide England to a dominant position - one which could see them take a 2-1 lead in the series.

Trott was caught out by MS Dhoni off Pragyan Ojha at 87 and Pietersen was given out lbw to Ravichandran Ashwin on 54. Ian Bell was dismissed by Ishant Sharma as Samit Patel's wicket was taken by Ojha just as he was cruising on 33.

Prior and Swann kept up England's fight with 40 and 21 runs respectively at the close.

Opinion

Editorial

Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....
Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...