Cook excels as rain stops play in South Africa

England opener, Alistair Cook, made an unbeaten 66 as rain stopped play in England’s final warm-up fixture against South Africa airways XI.The Essex left-hander hit his half century of 96 balls and played with a new found confidence, after struggling with a back injury since the tour began.

“I still do feel it. It’s quite major when you have two prolapsed discs - but I can move fine out there now,” he said. ”The first week with it is always weird, with back spasms, and you think you’ll never be able to move properly again.”

The visitors  reached 142-3 of just 36.2 overs, before the rain made it’s presence felt, forcing the sides to retreat to the dressing room after less than half-a-days play.

England’s batsmen struggled to find any real fluency in the final warm-up game before the test series, with the three South Africa born stars all falling cheaply, Andrew Strauss, making just one, Jonathan Trott struggling to 11 and Kevin Pietersen hitting a modest 25.

With regards to the positives, it is the manner of Alistair Cook’s performance that will please coach and captain the most, as he played some terrific strokes, hitting ten fours in his 66 not out.

“It’s been really good having that one-to-one treatment for my back, which is what I’ve needed,” he added.”When you’re part of the squad, it is very hard to leave the lads. But sometimes, injury forces you to do that.

”The aim was to get back for the Test match - which we seem to be doing.”