Cook's Record Ton Powers England

Kolkata: Cook continued his dream run as he smashed an unbeaten ton to power England 216/1, trail by 100 runs, at stumps on Day 2 of the third Test against India at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday

Pragyan Ojha dismissed Nick Compton in the over after England captain Alastair Cook went past the 7000-run mark before notching up his 23rd Test century.

Ojha bowled slow a delivery and got it to drift on to the off stump. Compton got down to play a fine sweep and the ball hit his pads. Umpire Rod Tucker shook his head at first and changed his decision soon after that to send Compton back.

Cook's run of excellent form continued against India who have no clue how to get his wicket. This is Cook's fifth hundred against India, his highest against any team going past his four against the Windies. With 23 hundreds, Cook is now the leading century-maker of England.

Compton reached his maiden half-century as India bowlers struggled for the first breakthrough.

Cook and Compton consolidated in the second session by adding 99 runs. The Indian bowlers were left clueless while the English batsmen looked to attack, especially against R Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha, who were not allowed to settle.

Cook was dropped by Cheteshwar Pujara at first slip off Zaheer Khan when he was on 17.

Earlier, Indian captain MS Dhoni hit his 27th Test fifty just before getting dismissed as England bowled out India for 316 runs on the second day of the third Test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday.

Steven Finn dismissed Dhoni with a good short delivery at his body. Dhoni tried to fend it away but got into an awkward position and couldn't keep it down. The ball flew down to gully where Swann took a fine diving catch to end the Indian innings.

Dhoni batted well with the tail and reached his fifty with a crashing cover drive to the fence.

Dhoni brought up the Indian 300 with a six off Monty Panesar over long-off and the Indian captain followed it with a huge hit over long-on that went into the stands.

Panesar dismissed Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma in his successive overs.

Panesar floated a delivery at a good pace on off and middle, Ishant got his bat down very late as he tried to drive but the ball sneaked through and hit the stumps.

Panesar trapped Zaheer Khan plumb in front of the wicket in the fourth over of the day.

Brief scores
India 316 (Tendulkar 76, Gambhir 60, Dhoni 52, Panesar 4-90)
England 216 for 1 (Cook 136*, Compton 57)
Status England trail by 100 runs