England Test captain Alastair Cook scores century for Essex

Alastair Cook at an Essex CCC photocall on April 7, 2016
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Alastair Cook scores a century for Essex in their County Championship match against Gloucestershire.

England Test captain Alastair Cook scored his 52nd first-class century in Essex's County Championship match against Gloucestershire on Monday.

The 31-year-old appears to be in good form heading into this summer's international action, which begins on May 19 with a Test match against Sri Lanka at Headingley.

Today, Cook reached 100 runs off 182 balls and after picking up a further five runs, the batsman was trapped lbw by Gloucestershire's Jack Taylor.

Essex were 224-2 in reply to their opponents' 262 all out at the time of Cook's departure.

Alastair Cook walks off after being dismissed early during the second innings on day three of the first Test between South Africa and England on December 28, 2015
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