Alastair Cook hit a career-best 294 as a ruthless England buried India under a massive 486-run lead to leave the visitors with a daunting task of saving the third Cricket Test and their number one ranking. The 26-year-old Cook anchored the innings brilliantly as he batted for close to two days before the hosts declared their first innings at an imposing 710 for seven at the fag end of the third day yesterday at Birmingham last night.In reply, India lost Virender Sehwag yet again for a first ball duck to be struggling at 35 for one, still trailing by 451 runs to avoid an innings defeat.Gautam Gambhir (14) and Rahul Dravid (18) were at the crease when stumps were drawn for the day.A defeat for India will not only seal the series-win for England but also the tag of the number one Test team in the world.