1st Ashes Test ENG V AUS Day 3: Bell's unbeaten 95 gives England a lead of 261

Ian Bell and Stuart Broad shared an unbroken century partnership to lift England to 326 for six on a compelling third day of the first Ashes test against Australia on Friday.

England eked out a lead of 261 runs in an atmosphere of great tension at Trent Bridge as controversy erupted in the final session when Broad edged young spinner Ashton Agar to Michael Clarke at first slip via the gloves of wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

Umpire Aleem Dar did not give the all-rounder out and he refused to 'walk' as he left the tourists, who had used up their two referrals, fuming.

Bell was dropped by a diving Haddin moments later and tensions spilled over on the pitch and the Australian balcony where coach Darren Lehmann was seen shaking his head and looking upset.

The 31-year-old Bell was unbeaten on 95 at the close with Broad on 47 and England will now look to push their lead beyond 300 on Saturday.

The day started sedately as Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen continued to adopt a cautious approach after resuming on 80 for two.

Pietersen drove Mitchell Starc to the cover boundary, one of his 12 fours, to reach his half-century and moved confidently to 64.

The batsman was then distracted by a spectator moving behind the bowler's arm and dragged the next ball from James Pattinson on to his stumps as he tried to force it through the off side, ending a third-wicket partnership of 110.

Cook's four-hour vigil was over shortly after he reached his half-century, the captain edging a top-spinner from Agar to slip where opposing skipper Clarke held a fine one-handed catch high to his left to leave England in trouble on 131 for four.

It was a first test wicket for Agar who played an extraordinary innings of 98 batting at number 11 to turn the match Australia's way on Thursday.

The tourists were cock-a-hoop and the crowd fell quiet as Pattinson and Starc obtained significant reverse swing to trouble Bell and Jonny Bairstow who had to work hard to take England through to lunch on 157 for four.

Bairstow had fought for 62 deliveries to make 15 when he edged Agar to Haddin and Matt Prior joined Bell.

NEW BALL

Australia took the second new ball and the England wicketkeeper went on the attack, punching Pattinson through cover for four to bring up the 200 and carving Siddle over backward point.

Prior struck six crisp fours on his way to 31 off 42 balls but he perished trying to hit another, pulling Peter Siddle to mid-wicket where Ed Cowan leapt to take a sharp catch above his head.

Bell brought up his half-century with two off Pattinson, reaching 6,000 test runs in the process, and he clipped Starc for his eighth four to a loud cheer from a generally subdued crowd before England went to tea on 230 for six.

Broad smeared Starc to the extra cover boundary to bring up the half-century partnership as England edged their lead past 200.

The controversy surrounding Broad's non-dismissal by Agar may have got to Bell, a model of concentration for more than five hours at the crease and he played his one false stroke of the day and was put down by Haddin off Siddle.

Broad rubbed salt into Australia's wounds by cutting Shane Watson for four to bring up the century partnership, chiselled out by the two England batsmen from 213 balls.

Bell survived a huge shout for lbw off Pattinson just before the close and the right-hander will resume five runs short of his 18th Test century.

FINAL SESSION

A great day of cricket. Starting the day at 80 for 2, England saw an amazing century partnership from captain Alastair Cook (50) and Kevin Pietersen (64).

But once both fell in quick succession, England lost a few wickets in the middle before Ian Bell played a cameo of an innings to remain unbeaten on 95 as England secured a lead of 261 at the end of Day 3 at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.

Bell also shared a vital unbroken 108-run stand with Stuart Broad (47 not out) as England finished the day at 326 for six in 133 overs.

Australian bowlers toiled hard all day with little success.

But 19-year-old sensation Ashton Agar claimed two wickets, while James Pattinson and Peter Siddle claimed a wicket each.

That's end of Day 3. England hold the upperhand with a lead of 261 runs over Australia. Bell and Broad shared a crucial unbeaten century stand as they finish at 326-6 in 133 overs.

A maiden over. Eng 325-6 in 132 overs.

A huge appeal by Pattinson. Good decision from the umpire, there was a thick inside edge. Eng 325-6 in 131 overs.

Bell in his 90s. The lead is 257 now. Eng 322-6 in 130 overs.

Broad with that boundary goes to 45. Partnership reaches 100. Eng 318-6 in 129 overs.

Just a few overs left for the day. England look to be in a better position with a lead of 249. Eng 314-6 in 128 overs.

Bell gets a boundary off the last ball. He goes to 89. Eng 313-6 in 127 overs.

That's another maiden over. Runs completely dried up for England. Australia looking for a wicket before end of day's play. Eng 309-6 in 126 overs.

A maiden over. Eng 309-6 in 125 overs.

Two runs from the over. Eng 309-6 in 124 overs.

Fine cut from Bell to a boundary. Bell on 85, Broad on 39. Eng 307-6 in 123 overs.

Just one run from that over of Agar. Broad and Bell have decided to take it easy for the remaining overs of the day. Eng 302-6 in 122 overs

Another maiden for Australia. Eng 301-6 in 121 overs.

Agar bowls a maiden. Eng 301-6 in 120 overs.

Bell gets an edge and travels to the boundary. England reach 300.

That's a bad decision going against Australia. A edge from Broad's bat was easily taken by Clarke in the slips and the umpire turns it down. Broad lucky to be there. Eng 297-6 in 118 overs.

Bell gets a boundary. England get closer to the 300-run mark. The lead is 232 now. Eng 297-6 in 117 overs.

Broad gets aggressive as he goes aerial for a boundary. He is on 36. Eng 292-6 in 116 overs.

Partnership between Bell and Broad reaches 69. The lead is 222 runs. Eng 287-6 in 115 overs.

Broad looking great here. He is already reached 29. This over gets a boundary and four byes as lead goes to 217. Eng 282-6 in 113 overs.

Australia desperate for a wicket here. The partnership looking strong. Eng 271-6 in 112 overs.

The lead crosses 200, Bell and Broad doing a tremendous job as they share a partnership of 48. Eng 266-6 in 110 overs.

There was a close chance for Australia. But Broad's edge just falling short of Clarke. Lead reaches 199. Eng 264-6 in 109 overs.

England lead by 195 runs as they reach 260-6 in 106 overs.

Broad and Bell doing a great job for England. The lead reaches 187. Eng 252-6 in 104 overs.

A four through leg byes off Broad. Eng 247-6 in 103 overs.

A madien over from Agar. Eng 240-6 in 102 overs.

Broad gets a boundary and then runs four. Good over for England. Lead is 175. Eng 240-6 in 101 overs.

So a lot will depend on Bell. He has to ensure England get a good lead. Eng 232-6 in 100 overs.

AFTERNOON SESSION

Ian Bell made a battling unbeaten 56 to lead England to 230 for six and a lead of 165 runs at tea on a compelling third day of the first Ashes Test against Australia at Trent Bridge on Friday.

Australia claimed the wickets of Jonny Bairstow and Matt Prior in a tense afternoon session but Bell held firm to give England hope of setting a difficult target for the touring side to chase in the fourth innings.

Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen, resuming on 80 for two, started with the same cautious approach they adopted on Thursday when they steadied the ship for England after the loss of two early wickets.

Pietersen drove Mitchell Starc to the cover boundary to reach his fifty, one of his 12 fours, and moved confidently to 64.

But he was distracted by a spectator moving in the pavilion and dragged the next ball from James Pattinson on to his stumps trying to force it through the off side, ending a third-wicket partnership of 110.

Cook's four-hour vigil was over shortly after he reached his fifty, the captain edging a top-spinner from left-armer Ashton Agar to slip where Australia captain Michael Clarke held a fine one-handed catch high to his left.

It was a first Test wicket for Agar who played an extraordinary innings of 98 batting at number 11 to turn the match Australia's way on Thursday.

The Australians were cock-a-hoop and the crowd fell quiet, although Bell struck one textbook drive to the cover boundary to briefly raise spirits.

Pattinson and Mitchell Starc obtained significant reverse swing and troubled Bell and Bairstow but the pair survived a few uncomfortable moments to take England to lunch on 157 for four.

Bairstow had fought hard for 62 deliveries to make 15 when he edged Agar through to Haddin and Prior joined Bell.

Australia took the second new ball and the England wicketkeeper went on the attack, punching Pattinson through cover for four to bring up the 200 and carving Siddle over backward point.

Prior struck six crisp fours on his way to 31 off 42 balls but he perished trying to hit another, pulling Peter Siddle to mid-wicket where Ed Cowan leapt to take a sharp catch above his head.

Bell brought up his fifty with a two off Pattinson, reaching 6,000 Test runs in the process, and he clipped Starc for his eighth four just before the interval to a loud cheer from a generally subdued crowd.

Tea break. Two wickets in that session as England are 230 for 6 in 99 overs. Bell is unbeaten on 56 as England have a lead of 165 runs.

Five runs including a boundary from Bell. Eng 230-6 in 98 overs.

Bell reaches a well deserved half century when England needed it the most. Eng 225-6 in 97 overs.

Bell is taking his time. He has been on 48 for quite some time now. Eng 220-6 in 96 overs.

A maiden over. Eng 219-6 in 95 overs.

Only a single from the over. Eng 219-6 in 94 overs.

M Prior c Cowan b Siddle 31 (42b 6x4 0x6)

England lose another crucial wicket. Prior was looking good but Siddle cuts him short. Eng 218-6 in 93 overs.

Another boundary comes in that over from Prior. Eng 212-5 in 91 overs.

Prior's gets a boundary. Eng 208-5 in 90 overs.

England reach 200-run mark. Bell reaches 47. Eng 203-5 in 89 overs.

No runs from that over. Eng 196-5 in 87 overs.

Prior smashes two beautiful boundaries. Eng 196-5 in 86 overs.

A boundary each from Bell and Prior. Bell reaches 40s. Eng 188-5 in 85 overs.

Bell on 38. A lot depends on him at this stage. Eng 179-5 in 84 overs.

Australia take the new ball. Eng 176-5 in 83 overs.

Two runs from Agar's over. Eng 176-5 in 82 overs.

A maiden over follows. Eng 174-5 in 81 overs.

J Bairstow c Haddin b Agar 15 (62b 0x4 0x6)

Agar is enjoying his time out there. That's second wickeet as Baristow departs. Eng 174-5 in 80 overs.

Bell calls for a review after Dharmasena takes a moment to give him out. Bell gets it in his favour. Breather for England. Eng 172-4 in 79 overs.

It's a maiden over. Eng 172-4 in 78 overs.

Two well controlled boundaries from Bell between slip and gully. The lead crosses over 100. Eng 172-4 in 77 overs.

It's lunch. Bairstow (12) and Bell (20) are building a good partnership. Eng 157-4 in 72 overs.

Just one run. It's becoming very difficult to bat as the wicket is deteriorating quickly. Eng 156-4 in 71 overs.

Lead reaches 90 for England. Eng 155-4 in 70 overs.

Bell gets a boundary and England reach 150-4 in 68 overs.

Watson's getting to swing the ball. But no luck as of now. Eng 143-4 in 67 overs

Bairstow and Bell look steady. Eng-141-4 in 65 overs.

Three runs coming off that over. England need another partnership going. Eng 136-4 in 62 overs.

A maiden over from Pattinson. Eng 133-4 in 61 overs.

Good over from Agar. Picks up his first wicket. Eng 133-4 in 60 overs.

A Cook c Clarke b Agar 50 (165b 6x4 0x6)

Another quick success for Australia. Cook departs. Lead is 66, Eng 131-4 in 59.1 overs.

Two boundaries from Bell. Eng 131-3 in 59 overs.

Captain Cook reaches his half century. It came off 164 deliveries. Way too slow!

Cook is on 49. Eng 122-3 in 58 overs.

KP Pietersen b Pattinson 64 (150b 12x4 0x6)

Australia finally end the partnership. Pietersen plays on. Eng 121-3 in 57 overs.

Two runs of that over. Eng 116-2 in 55 overs.

Cook's boundary takes the partnership to 100 for the third wicket. Eng 113-2 in 54 overs.

Cook cracks a boundary off Pattinson to move into the 40s. Eng 108-2 in 53 overs.

Pietersen hits a boundary with a straight drive off Siddle. Eng 104-2 in 52 overs.

A single from leg bye takes England to the three-digit score. Eng 100-2 in 51 overs.

A superb boundary from Pietersen and he gets to his half century. Eng 99-2 in 50 overs.

England resumed day three of the first Test against Australia on 80-2 at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Friday.

 

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