SYDNEY, Australia —England’sAlaistar Cook acknowledges thecrowds as he walks off the fieldon the third day of the fifth andfinal Ashes Test against Australiaat the SCG yesterday. (Photo: AP)
Cook, Bell guide England to verge of victory
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) — Alastair Cook continued to plunder the Australian bowling yesterday, becoming the most prolific English runscorer in an Ashes series in eight decades and guiding the visitors into a series-winning position in the fifth Test.
The 26-year-old opener scored 189 and shared a 154-run sixth-wicket partnership with Ian Bell, who survived some chances before notching his first Test century against Australia and helping England reach 488-7 at stumps on the third day, a first-innings lead of 288.
England have an unbeatable 2-1 lead and need only a draw at the Sydney Cricket Ground to claim its first Test series victory in Australia since 1987.
