Hungry Cook feasts on Surrey

England opener continues his fine run of form in Twenty20 Cup

Last updated: 26th June 2009

Hungry Cook feasts on Surrey

Cook: Unbeaten century

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Twenty20 Cup - South Division
The Brit Oval
Essex 210-3 (A N Cook 100 no, M L Pettini 87) v Surrey 126
Essex beat Surrey by 84 runs

Alastair Cook proved he's more than just a Test-match specialist with a superb Twenty20 Cup hundred in Essex's 84-run win over Surrey.

The England opener entertained a crowd of 17,000 with 11 fours and four sixes to make an unbeaten 100 from just 57 balls.

The Eagles nearly managed two centurions in the same innings, skipper Mark Pettini making 87 alongside Cook at the top of the order.

The pair put on 169 for the first wicket, the second best opening stand in Twenty20 history.

Eventually Surrey managed to make a breakthrough, Pettini going leg before to Chris Jordan having smashed 10 fours and four sixes in his 53-ball knock.

Impressive Cook

However, Cook continued to dominate as he marched through to three figures. His ton arrived in the 20th over, delivered by leg spinner Chris Schofield, which cost 22.

The left-hander, who will join up with the England squad on Friday ahead of the Ashes, has managed to amass 337 runs in the competition this season at an excellent average of 48.14.

Facing a huge target to try and keep their slim qualification hopes alive, Surrey saw openers Scott Newman and James Benning bowled by Graham Napier with only 12 runs on the scoreboard.

Mark Ramprakash (26) and Usman Afzaal (30 off 15 balls) threatened to make a game of it when they put on a third-wicket stand of 48.

However, spinners Danish Kaneria and James Middlebrook both picked up two wickets apiece as the home side were bowled out for just 126 inside 16 overs.