Cook torments Aussies

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Alastair Cook aims to 'cash in' on his excellent form after a second successive century put England in pole position in the second Test at Adelaide Oval.

In temperatures approaching 40 degrees, Cook piled on an unbeaten 136, including 17 boundaries, to guide England to 317-2 at stumps on day two - an overall lead of 72 runs.

The 25-year-old followed his 235 not out in Brisbane with another brilliant performance and has now posted 438 runs in his three innings of the series.

And Cook has warned Australia that there is more to come.

"The art of batting is concentrating for a long period of time and not making mistakes," he said.

"And you've got to keep reminding yourself about that when you bat and you do remind yourself all the time. It's testament to our fitness as well as players and obviously the backroom staff to make sure we can produce that all the time."

"It's very much when you get in this rhythm of batting it's doing everything similar and not trying to break that rhythm. And focusing on what's ahead and not what's gone, focusing on the next ball and getting through that 20-minute period."

The opener conceded heat came into play on day two, saying that although it set up 'excellent' batting conditions it left him feeling slightly fatigued.

"It was excellent conditions for batting today, 37 degrees on a very good wicket so it was important we made the most of what our bowlers did yesterday which was a fantastic effort to dismiss them for 245," he said.

"We're in a good position now but there's a lot of cricket left. It's important we keep batting tomorrow, it's important that we get through the first half hour and really focus on getting a real big score."

"At tea I was quite tired. At 37 degrees it's up there with one of the hottest days I've played in, but you've got to cash in when you're in this kind of form and not give it away. It was physically quite hard obviously after what happened last week."

Cook and number three Jonathan Trott shared a stand of 173 - following their unbeaten 329 at the Gabba.

Between them, the pair have amassed 593 runs in their three innings over the two Tests.

"Trotty came in full of confidence and backed up what he did last week as well. We've obviously got a good little record there as a partnership at the moment. Hopefully we can continue to enjoy batting together and setting each other little targets. It's worked well for us," Cook said.

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