By Richard Spiller

ALASTAIR Cook shaded the battle of the old masters at the Kia Oval but it was Hashim Amla who ensured a stalemate.A commanding 165 by Cook, 36, established Essex’s superiority on the first day, forming the backbone of their 439 all out, a reminder of his glorious exit from Test cricket at the Oval three years ago. Highlight of the visitors’ innings was his third-wicket stand worth 150 with Dan Lawrence, who made a fluent 78.Yet Amla, 38, – who tamed England with a sublime 311 not out on the same ground in 2012 – ensured Surrey would n...