Cook provides fight before falling short

Alastair Cook has never made a Test hundred against Australia in England. For a batsman keenly aware of his stats, and there is no shame in that, it was an omission to rectify in a career that compares with the best. The third day of the final Investec Test built inexorably towards filling that gap, the anticipated denouement gradually slipping into Sunday morning, until five minutes before the close of the third day the achievement cruelly eluded him.

Perhaps the last thing Cook wanted with three overs remaining was the sight of Steven Smith, Australia's captain in waiting, cranking up his spasmodic legspin. Two rank full tosses were duly delivered before Smith turned his last ball of the over into Cook's pads and, crouching suspiciously, he inside-edged it to short leg. Smith's 16th Test wicket came with a story attached. Cook was 15 runs short.

Personal achievements, or personal pride, seemed to be all England had left to play for in a Test that has tarnished their Ashes series victory. England, after following on 332 runs behind, still trail by 129 runs with four wickets remaining. The second new ball lies in wait, an over away, to be taken by Australia fast bowlers benefitting from a good night's rest. They will expect to complete the job before the forecast storm arrives in early afternoon.

It would seem likely that Cook will be looking for yet another new opener to partner him during the upcoming tour of UAE. Cook has already gone through six partners over the last three years - not a good recipe for success.

Lyth has been the worst of the six although he wasn't helped by being thrown into the deep end against New Zealand and Australia when he could have been eased into the position during the tour of West Indies. Still, if you are going to be a successful opener in Test cricket, you need to score runs against the very best teams. Lyth has averaged 20.38 in his 7 matches to date with only 1 score of 50+, and has been extremely susceptible to anything outside off stump. His lack of discipline is also cause for real concern.

My guess is that Alex Hales will be the next in line to partner Cook in the upcoming series against Pakistan. He has had another very good county season scoring 697 runs at an average of 43.56, which includes a high score of 236. Of course, scoring runs in county cricket doesn't equate to success in Test cricket, as Lyth - who pummeled 1489 runs with a 67.68 average last year - found out first hand.