Bangladesh-England: Day One: Captain Cook Conqueres Timid Tigers

England dominated day one of the first test between England and Bangladesh at Chittagonga. The score at stumps was 374-3 with England at the crease.

Shakib-Ul-Hasan won the toss and put England in to bat on a very hard pitch with a lightning-fast outfield.

England handed debuts to Hampshire's Michael Carberry and Middlesex's Steven Finn.

Carberry opened the batting with his skipper Alastair Cook, who was in sublime form. The pair put on 72 for the first wicket when Carberry was plumb LBW to Mahmudullah for 30.

Cook looked brilliant as he passed his 50. He shared a partnership of 77 with Jonathon Trott before the latter was dismissed, unfortunately adjudged caught behind after the ball clearly struck his helmet. Trott was dismissed for 34 off the bowling of Hossain.

This brought Pietersen to the crease, and he got off the mark with a tickle down the leg side for four.

Having failed of late with the bat, Pietersen had a lot of critics to answer, and he did in some style. His knock of 99 and a partnership of 170 with Cook just showed the press what he is made of. He hit 15 fours and one six in his innings. He was bowled by Razzaq. This was the fifth time Pietersen had been dismissed in a test innings in the 90s.

He paid tribute to Indian batsman Rahul Dravid, a team partner of Pietersen for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL who has aided him with advice to get over his slump.

"I spoke with Rahul and his advice was spectacular," Pietersen said. "I'd have taken a 99 before play, so today was special."

"I have worked so hard, especially this week, and I have genuinely absolutely loved it."

Cook continued past his century, ending the day not out on 158. Cook, who answered critics of his own on the recent tour of South Africa, became the fourth England captain to cap his debut as captain with three-figures, joining Andrew Strauss, Pietersen, and Allan Lamb.

His 158 boasted 14 fours and two sixes in his eye-catching innings, and was one for the mantle piece.

Cook and Paul Collingwood will be looking at 600 before they declare. And with the strength in England's batting, who knows what day two will offer?