Root and Bresnan add to Aussie agony
LONDON, United Kingdom, July 20 (AFP) - England were 171 for four in
their second innings, a lead of 404 runs, at tea on the third day of the
second Ashes Test against Australia at Lord's.
Joe Root was 97 not out and Ian Bell 16 not out at the end of
Saturday's second session.
Ashes-holders England lead this five-match series 1-0.
opening batsman Root was 63 not out and nightwatchman Bresnan 32 not
out, with the county colleagues' unbroken fourth-wicket stand so far
worth 84.
Their partnership meant Australia, shot out for just 128 on Friday,
already needed to surpass the Lord's Test record fourth innings victory
total of 344 for one made by the West Indies against England in 1984,
which featured Gordon Greenidge's unbeaten double century, if they were
to pull off an astounding win.
England, 1-0 up in the five-match series after last week's 14-run
victory at Trent Bridge, resumed Saturday on 31 for three, a lead of 264
runs.
Peter Siddle's three wickets late Friday saw England captain Alastair
Cook, Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen all out cheaply.
But Root, 18 not out overnight, eased the first ball of Saturday's
play, from Siddle, through midwicket for four.
After two days of blazing sunshine, conditions were overcast for the
first time and offering a hint of swing.
Root, however, drove James Pattinson through the covers for four in a
style reminiscent of former England captain Michael Vaughan, who played
for the same Yorkshire club side as the 22-year-old.
Bresnan took 30 balls to get off the mark while he denied Australia
the joy of an early breakthrough Saturday.
He subsequently took two boundaries in as many balls off Siddle, the
first edged short of third slip and down to third man with the second
flicked just wide of midwicket.
ENGLAND - 1ST INNINGS
(361 - I Bell 109, J Bairstow 67, J Trott 58
R Harris 5-72, S Smith 3-18)
Australia 1st Innings 128 (G Swann 5-44)
ENGLAND - 2ND INNINGS
A. Cook b Siddle 08
J. Root not out 97
J. Trott b Siddle 00
K. Pietersen c Rogers b Siddle 05
T. Bresnan c Rogers b Pattinson 38
I. Bell not out 16
Extras (b6, lb1) 07
Total (4 wkts, 78 overs, 331 mins) 171
Fall of wickets: 1-22 (Cook), 2-22 (Trott)
3-30 (Pietersen), 4-129 (Bresnan)
Bowling: Harris 16-4-28-0
Watson 9-3-22-0
Siddle 19-6-51-3
Pattinson 18-8-24-1
Smith 4-0-15-0
Agar 12-3-24-0 |
