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Alastair Cook century puts England in control

Cook century puts England in control
© PA Photos
An unbeaten century from Alastair Cook gives England a strong start to day one of the first Test against South Africa at the Oval.

An unbeaten century from Alastair Cook has given England a strong start to day one of the first Test against South Africa at the Oval.

The opener posted a score of 114 not out to leave the hosts on 267-3 at the close of play.

Having won the toss and choosing to bat, England began disastrously as captain Andrew Strauss was out for a duck lbw off the fourth ball of the day from Morne Morkel.

Jonathan Trott was next in and played his inimitable unhurried style to get England back on track and onto 70-1 at lunch.

Cook and Trott then both reached half centuries after the break before the latter was caught behind off the bowling of Morkel for 71. Trott's dismissal put an end to a partnership of 170.

Kevin Pietersen did his best to entertain the crowd with his usual variety of shots before a single off Imran Tahir gave Cook his 20th Test century.

Pietersen was eventually out for 42 when he nicked the ball into the gloves of AB de Villiers from the bowling of Jacques Kallis.

Ian Bell then notched up 10 runs to go with Cook's unbeaten 114 to cap a dominant day for England.

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