Cook, Root strike form ahead of Boxing Day Test

Alastair Cook and Joe Root struck centuries on the second day of England's three-day fixture against South Africa A at the City Oval in Pietermaritzburg on Monday (December 21). Resuming on 60 for no loss, England declared on 414 for 6 before reducing the hosts to 35 for 2.

Cook and Alex Hales (56) scored 112 runs for the first wicket before the latter was bowled by Dane Paterson. Nick Compton, trying to make a comeback to the Test squad, failed to grab the opportunity and was trapped in front by Keshav Maharaj for 29.

Cook (126) then collaborated with Root (117) for a 50-run stand before Maharaj bagged Cook to claim his second wicket of the day. However, Ben Stokes, with England already in a great position, deflated the South Africa A attack with a 47-ball 66.

What will please the think-tank more is that their main players - Cook, Root, Stokes, Broad and Finn - have struck form right before the Test series, but there's still a question mark about who will open with the England captain. Both Hales and Compton failed to made a significant score to seal their spot.

Moeen Ali and Broad then picked up a wicket each to ensure England go into the final day eyeing a win with South Africa A still 243 behind with eight wickets in hand.

Brief scores: South Africa A 136 and 35 for 2 in 11 overs trail England XI 414 for 6 decl. (Alastair Cook 126, Joe Root 117, Ben Stokes 66; Keshav Maharaj 4-129) by 243 runs.