Cook in the runs again ahead of SL series

London - England captain Alastair Cook maintained his excellent form in the run-up to the Test series against Sri Lanka with a third County Championship hundred of the season on Monday.

Cook's unbeaten 130 and Tom's Westley's innings of 125 helped Second Division leaders Essex to a total of 335 for two at stump son the second day away to Worcestershire at New Road.

Left-handed opener Cook's latest hundred came off 206 balls, including a six and 15 fours.

The 31-year-old's innings followed scores of 105 against Gloucestershire and 127 not out against Sussex.

This match is set to be Cook's final first-class appearance before he returns to England duty for the first of a three-Test home series with Sri Lanka, starting at Yorkshire's Headingley headquarters in Leeds on May 19.