Alastair Cook reaches half-century before lunch

Alastair Cook completed his half-century shortly before lunch on day two of the fifth Test against India as England reached 148-1 at the end of this morning's session.

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The hosts resumed on 62 without loss at The Oval, but lost Sam Robson in the second over of the day as the opening batsman misread a Varun Aaron delivery, allowing the ball through to strike his off-stump.

Robson's dismissal brought Gary Ballance to the crease, and he quickly built a solid partnership with the captain as England closed in on India's first-innings total of 148.

Cook continued on to 56 by the end of the session, while Ballance reached 40, leaving the scores level heading into this afternoon.