Essex batsmen thrash poor Aussies

Tour match, Chelmsford, day one of two (stumps): Essex 502-4 v Australia

Scorecard

Cook reached his century off just 107 balls

Essex opener Alastair Cook ruined Australia's build-up to the final Test with a blazing 214 in their tour match.

With only Shane Warne rested from the attack that lost the fourth Test last week the county side had reached 502-4 half way through the two-day game.

Will Jefferson (64) shared an opening stand of 140 before Ravinder Bopara joined the fun with 135 off 220 balls.

Spinner Stuart MacGill, a fifth Test hopeful, saw his 24 overs go for 128 as the county side ran wild.

The tourists had gone into the match looking for the extra edge they will need if they are to win the final Test and prevent England from reclaiming the Ashes.

Instead it was Cook, on Friday named England's young cricketer of the year, who set the tone for the day.

The energy and attitude was first-class throughout, even though a flat pitch and fast outfield did nothing to help the bowlers Aussie coach John Buchanan

He delighted the 6,000 sell-out crowd with a flurry of boundaries, including three from Brett Lee's second over.

Cook needed just 49 balls to bring up his half-century. He was unbeaten on 85 by lunch and brought up his century from only 107 deliveries.

By the time he was finally caught by Jason Gillespie off a Michael Kasprowicz delivery shortly after tea, Cook had helped himself to 33 boundaries and a six in the most memorable innings of his career to date.

Cook admitted that some luck went his way but was naturally delighted.

"It was a flat track and one or two edges did not go to hand," said the 20-year-old.

"It was a day when things went my way but you have to make the most of little bits of good fortune.

"I was never able to relax. They have got some quality bowlers and to their credit they never gave up."

Unfortunately for Cook, the match will not count towards first-class statistics because 12 players have been nominated for each side, with 11 on the field at any one time.

Essex are allowed a maximum 120 overs to bat but could declare early looking to inflict Australia's second defeat by a county on this tour.

Despite watching his side leak more than five runs per over, Australia coach John Buchanan stayed positive.

"Generally, I thought we bowled and fielded well. There were positives from all of them," he said.

"It is important we go through the physical demands of the game and all of our bowlers did that OK.

"The energy and attitude was first-class throughout, even though a flat pitch and fast outfield did nothing to help the bowlers."

Somerset beat the tourists by four wickets in a one-day match in June.

Fast bowler Glenn McGrath missed the match because of a continuing right elbow problem but is confident of being passed fit for The Oval.