Cricket: Alistair Cook Sends Letter From Antigua

Alistair Cook took another step towards the England Test team with an innings of skill and tenacity for the A side yesterday. And high in the shadows of the Sir Vivian Richard's Stand the Essex opener's mentor, Graham Gooch, said: "I told you he could play."

Cook held the A side together with a century while his fellow Tyros acquainted themselves with one of the great traditions of English cricket - the middle-order batting collapse. England had looked comfortably placed after winning the toss and reaching 117 for one at lunch on the opening day of their three-day practice match against an Antigua XI. Michael Yardy, well caught at gully from Adam Sanford's delivery, had been the only batsman to perish in the morning.

But after the break England lost three wickets for eight runs in 23 balls as they were disconcerted by the pace of Gavin Tong. England had added just one run in the afternoon session when Owais Shah, who had announced his arrival with two excellent straight drives, pulled to mid-on. The captain Vikram Solanki, never comfortable against Tonge, 23, cut to slip for just one. Ed Joyce, beaten by his first two deliveries from the same bowler, edged the third to the wicketkeeper. But Cook went on to complete his century before he was caught at slip for 101. At tea England were 206 for five.