Bell, Pietersen dominate S Africa
Saturday, 12 July 2008
Lunch England 422 for 5 (Bell 118*, Ambrose 4*) v South Africa
An emotional Ian Bell joined Kevin Pietersen with a century at Lord's as England powered to a dominant 422 for 5 on the second day. He reached his eighth Test century as the fourth-wicket stand reached the record heights of 286 before Morne Morkel eventually broke through. While Bell has responded to the pressure on him, Paul Collingwood failed although was unlucky to be given out for 7 when he didn't edge the ball, according to Cricinfo website.
Bell's performance on the first day secured his long-term position, but it was important that he converted into three figures. He hadn't done it in the first innings of a Test since West Indies at Lord's last year, and even then England were in a commanding position before he came in. Here it was different and he came through under pressure. The stroke play was silky and confident as he reached his century off 189 balls.
The contrast to yesterday's first session could not have been greater. England raced out of the blocks and added 113 in 23.1 overs before rain forced an early lunch. They were helped by some further poor bowling from Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini as they regularly dropped too short and drifted into the pads. It was a mystery as to why it took so long for Morkel to be given the ball, a point further emphasised when he removed Pietersen with a well-directed short ball which was gloved to Mark Boucher.
However, the best chance for South Africa to haul themselves back into contention had passed. With the second new ball only nine overs old there was the opportunity first thing to make life tough for England. Instead Steyn offered Bell a second-ball leg-stump half volley and it set the tone for the session. Some deliveries were sprayed so wide that they eluded the diving Boucher.
Pietersen was in commanding form and he left Graeme Smith chasing the game. His strength through the leg side is legendary, but a back-foot drive off Ntini was played with breathless ease.
An emotional Ian Bell joined Kevin Pietersen with a century at Lord's as England powered to a dominant 422 for 5 on the second day. He reached his eighth Test century as the fourth-wicket stand reached the record heights of 286 before Morne Morkel eventually broke through. While Bell has responded to the pressure on him, Paul Collingwood failed although was unlucky to be given out for 7 when he didn't edge the ball, according to Cricinfo website.
Bell's performance on the first day secured his long-term position, but it was important that he converted into three figures. He hadn't done it in the first innings of a Test since West Indies at Lord's last year, and even then England were in a commanding position before he came in. Here it was different and he came through under pressure. The stroke play was silky and confident as he reached his century off 189 balls.
The contrast to yesterday's first session could not have been greater. England raced out of the blocks and added 113 in 23.1 overs before rain forced an early lunch. They were helped by some further poor bowling from Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini as they regularly dropped too short and drifted into the pads. It was a mystery as to why it took so long for Morkel to be given the ball, a point further emphasised when he removed Pietersen with a well-directed short ball which was gloved to Mark Boucher.
However, the best chance for South Africa to haul themselves back into contention had passed. With the second new ball only nine overs old there was the opportunity first thing to make life tough for England. Instead Steyn offered Bell a second-ball leg-stump half volley and it set the tone for the session. Some deliveries were sprayed so wide that they eluded the diving Boucher.
Pietersen was in commanding form and he left Graeme Smith chasing the game. His strength through the leg side is legendary, but a back-foot drive off Ntini was played with breathless ease.