Flawless Cook continues to write himself into English cricket’s mythology as rain dominates at Arundel

Former England captain Cook now has 66 first-class hundreds, having struck a near-flawless three figures at Arundel, before reaching his 24,000th run in first-class cricket.

He ended on unbeaten 129, with Essex on 249 for three, with play concluding at lunch due to torrential rain making an already wet outfield sodden.

No play was able to be played on the first day, before just 47 overs on the second, with another 32 overs added to the tally on Monday.

But with a terrible forecast for the final day, Essex’s 100 per cent record in the Bob Willis Trophy appears unlikely to remain.

Nightwatchman Jamie Porter managed to survive 13 overs before he was lbw to Ryan Stevenson for eight.

But after that, it was a case of England past and England future, as Dan Lawrence joined Cook in the middle.

Lawrence, who was a reserve in England’s Test side this summer, has returned to his county in fine form – with 60 against Sussex at Hove last week.

Further west down the coast, he continued that form with a stylish 37 not out – which included a lovely straight six off Mason Crane.

Lawrence did ride his luck as he was twice close to being run out at the non-striker’s end while backing up.

Cook used his perfected arsenal of shots, mostly square either side of the wicket, to reach a 180-ball ton with a classic push to midwicket.

Cook is the active player with the most runs in world cricket and moved to another milestone when, with a single on the cusp of lunch, he became the 148th player to reach 24,000 runs.

His next target on the all-time run-scoring list in red ball cricket is Australian legend Steve Waugh, who he needs another 52 runs to equal.

Cook was unable to add to his count, and Essex stuck a run away from a second batting point, as heavy rain put pay to any chance of returning to the wicket – with play officially abandoned at 5.35pm after a series of inspections.

Crane summed up the game from Hampshire’s point of view. ‘You think that there isn’t a lot to play for,’ he said.

‘It is meant to rain a lot tomorrow and neither team want to give the other team a chance to win.

‘It is pretty frustrating but it is what it is.

“It is good to play against players like Cook. He is obviously one of the best.

‘He is annoying to bowl at because he is so good, but you have to appreciate how good he is.

‘He played really well and the wicket didn’t give anyone too much. He got in and made it count.

‘It is a lesson for everyone out there that, once you get yourself in, you have to make it a big one.’

Crane, meanwhile, has taken 12 Willis Trophy wickets in 2020 - second only to Ian Holland (14) for Hampshire.

That comes after a back injury ruled him out of the entire 2018 summer, while he only took five wickets in six Championship games in 2019.

‘I am enjoying my bowling,’ he said. ‘It is nice to play red-ball cricket and be fully fit as well.

‘If I want to bowl a bit quicker I can, and if I want to bowl a slightly longer spell I can.

‘Everybody knows the injury problems I’ve had - last year I wasn’t fit to play. This year has been nice to get out there and I feel I have improved in the meantime.’