England's Alastair Cook celebrates his double century Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters) - Alastair Cook completed a fine double century as England advanced smoothly to 449 for four at lunch on the second day of the first test against West Indies at Edgbaston on Friday.
Dawid Malan recorded his first test 50 in his third match and the pair extended their fourth-wicket partnership to 162 against a toothless West Indies attack to put England in a position of total dominance in their first day-night test.
Malan, on 65, edged spinner Roston Chase to Jermaine Blackwood at slip just before the interval but England, with fast-scoring Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali still to bat, will be eying a huge first-innings total.
Cricket - England vs West Indies - First Test - Birmingham, Britain - August 18, 2017 Fans applaud England's Alastair Cook as he celebrates his double century Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Resuming on 348 for three, Cook and Malan started cautiously but the seam bowlers continued to serve up far too many loose deliveries which were clinically dispatched by the two left-handers.
Cook reached his fourth test double century with a thick edge to the third man boundary off Kemar Roach, the former captain's 30th four, and he was 213 not out at lunch.
England will look to increase the run rate before unleashing their experienced opening bowlers on the callow West Indies batting line-up under the floodlights in the opening match of the three-test series.
Cricket - England vs West Indies - First Test - Birmingham, Britain - August 18, 2017 West Indies' Kemar Roach appeals for a wicket Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs Cricket - England vs West Indies - First Test - Birmingham, Britain - August 18, 2017 West Indies' Roston Chase celebrates the wicket of England's Ben Stokes with team mates Action Images via Reuters/Paul ChildsCricket - England vs West Indies - First Test - Birmingham, Britain - August 18, 2017 England's Alastair Cook celebrates his double century Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
(Reporting by Ed Osmond; Editing by Alison Williams)
Cricket - England vs West Indies - First Test - Birmingham, Britain - August 18, 2017 England's Dawid Malan and Alastair Cook (R) Action Images via Reuters/Paul ChildsEngland's Alastair Cook in action Action Images via Reuters/Paul ChildsCricket - England vs West Indies - First Test - Birmingham, Britain - August 18, 2017 England's Alastair Cook in action Action Images via Reuters/Paul ChildsCricket - England vs West Indies - First Test - Birmingham, Britain - August 18, 2017 England's Alastair Cook celebrates his double century Action Images via Reuters/Paul ChildsCricket - England vs West Indies - First Test - Birmingham, Britain - August 18, 2017 Fans in fancy dress during the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul ChildsCricket - England vs West Indies - First Test - Birmingham, Britain - August 18, 2017 West Indies' Roston Chase celebrates taking the wicket of England's Dawid Malan Action Images via Reuters/Paul ChildsCricket - England vs West Indies - First Test - Birmingham, Britain - August 18, 2017 West Indies' Kemar Roach appeals for a wicket Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
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