Cook, Trott record partnership humiliates Oz as England draw Ashes opener

BRISBANE - England opening batsman Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott set a series of records on day five of the first Test of the Ashes series in Brisbane, as the match finished in an expected draw on Monday.

Cook hit a career-best 235 not out, while Trott made an unbeaten 135, as merciless England declared the second innings at a record 517-1 from 152 overs at the Gabba.

Set 297 to win from 41 overs, Australia eased their way to 107-1 from 26 overs before both captains agreed to end the match 15 overs early, the BBC reports.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting was unbeaten on 51 with opening batsman Shane Watson on 41.

Cook’s double century was the sixth best Ashes score by an Englishman, and he also surpassed Sir Don Bradman for the highest score at the Gabba.

Cook and Trott’s unbeaten 329 run stand for the second wicket was the ninth highest England partnership in history.

It was also the best partnership for England for any wicket in Australia, beating the 323 by Jack Hobbs and Wilfred Rhodes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1911-12.

The match also saw England’s highest second-innings total in a Test match in Australia.

England’s fightback with the bat came after Australia took a handsome 221-run advantage on the first innings.

It’s the first time Australia has failed to win at the Gabba since 2003, as it seeks to regain the Ashes following last year’s 2-1 loss in England.

The second match of the five-Test match series will be held in Adelaide from December 3.

Brief Scorecard:

England: Ist Innings:- 260 (Bell 76, Cook 67, Siddle 6-54)

Australia: Ist Innings:- 481 (Hussey 195, Haddin 136, Finn 6-125)

England: Second Innings:- 517-1 declared (Cook 235 not out, Trott 135 not out)

Australia: Second Innings:- 107-1 (Ponting 51 not out) (ANI)