Battling Cook and Ballance put England in control

England's captain Alastair Cook hits out during the third cricket test match against India at the Rose Bowl cricket ground, Southampton, England July 27, 2014. REUTERS/Philip Brown

SOUTHAMPTON England (Reuters) - Under-fire captain Alastair Cook made a courageous 95 and Gary Ballance struck a fine century to put England in control at 247 for two on the first day of the third test against India on Sunday.

Ballance was unbeaten on 104 at the close and beleaguered captain Cook survived a dropped catch to silence his critics with a battling knock after making a brave decision to bat first.