Cook and Amla put on shows of quality

By Richard Spiller

ALASTAIR Cook shaded the battle of the old masters at the Kia Oval but it was Hashim Amla who ensured a stalemate.
A commanding 165 by Cook, 36, established Essex’s superiority on the first day, forming the backbone of their 439 all out, a reminder of his glorious exit from Test cricket at the Oval three years ago. Highlight of the visitors’ innings was his third-wicket stand worth 150 with Dan Lawrence, who made a fluent 78.
Yet Amla, 38, – who tamed England with a sublime 311 not out on the same ground in 2012 – ensured Surrey would not...

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