Ashes Series: England v Australia - Third Test (Day 3) at Old Trafford

Pietersen century gives England hope

Australia 527-7 declared lead England 294-7 by 233 runs (England lead series 2-0)

Kevin Pietersen scored an important century as England looked to chase down Australia's big first innings total. It was not the start England wanted to the third day of play as Trott was dismissed early in the morning session by Harris. England's captain Alistair Cook passed his fifty before being dismissed by Mitchell Starc for 62 coming up to the lunch break, reducing England to 119-4. Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell provided some solidarity for England in the middle order as they battled hard to score runs. The duo both passed their fifties as they put England in a stronger position going into the Tea break at 208-4. The century partnership was completed shortly after play resumed but broken brilliantly by Harris who bowled Bell for 60. Pietersen went on to complete his century whilst putting on another fifty partnership with Bairstow. However, a great spell from Starc produced two important wickets for Australia as Bairstow was dismissed for 22 before Pietersen was caught lbw on 113. England lasted the final half an hour with no further loss of wickets which took them to the close of play at 294-7, trailing by 233 runs and needing 34 runs to avoid the follow on. 

My Opinion:

Good to see England fightback in a difficult situation. Chasing such a big first innings total can be hard and laborious as you end up trying to go for a draw and avoid defeat. Not the best start with Trott edging into the slips early on but Cook provided a slow fifty whilst Pietersen and Bell saved the innings with a century and fifty respectively. The evening session put Australia back into the driving seat as they took a further three wickets to reduce England to 294-7 at the close of play. England still require 34 runs to avoid the follow on which will be the main priority for tomorrow whilst getting as many runs as possible will be the secondary objective. A better day for England but still plenty to do to avoid defeat. 



Match Guide: Key Moments:

Morning Session:

11.36: 64-3, Trott 5 (32), caught Clarke, Harris.
11.47: 71-3, 50 for Cook.
12.29: 101-3.
12.46: 110-4, Cook 62 (177), 7 fours, caught Haddin, Starc.
13.01: Lunch, 119-4.

Afternoon Session:

14.02: 148-4, 50 for Pietersen off 71 balls.
14.10: 158-4, Pietersen 55*, Bell 21*.
14.19: 162-4, 50 partnership between Pietersen 57* and Bell 23*.
15.25: 202-4, New Ball taken, Pietersen 76*, Bell 44*.
15.43: 208-4, 50 for Bell off 93 balls.
15.44: Tea, 208-4.

Evening Session: 

16.05: 212-4, 100 partnership between Pietersen 78* and Bell 52*.
16.20: 225-5, Bell 60 (112), 10 fours, 1 six, bowled by Harris.
16.46: 245-5, 100 for Pietersen.
16.58: 255-5, Pietersen 101*, Bairstow 10*.
17.30: 277-5, 50 partnership between Pietersen 112* and Bairstow 22*.
17.31: 277-6, Bairstow 22 (51), 3 fours, caught Watson, Starc.
17.52: 280-7, Pietersen 113 (200), 12 fours, 2 sixes, lbw Starc.
18.32: Close of Play, 294-7. England trail by 233 runs and need 34 runs to avoid the follow on.

Player of the Day: Kevin Pietersen for making a much needed English century. 

Bowler of the Day: Mitchell Starc for taking three wickets.

Batsmen of the Day: Kevin Pietersen for scoring 113 runs. 

Disappointment of the Day: Seeing three important England wickets fall in the evening session.