England one-day international captain Alastair Cook was left with plenty to ponder on Tuesday after Australia warmed up for the upcoming limited overs series with a 179-run thrashing of his county side Essex. Australia captain Michael Clarke made 76 before retiring, while David Hussey scored 67 in a total of 313 for nine. In reply, Essex — with left-handed opener Cook and his England colleague Ravi Bopara in their side — slumped to 134 all out with fast bowler Pat Cummins taking three for 26. Cook’s hopes of getting a good look at the Australia attack ahead of Friday’s first one-day international at Lord’s were cut short when he was out for five in the fourth over when he edged a drive off Clint McKay to Clarke at first slip. Bopara did rather better, striking six fours, until being caught behind off Shane Watson.
