Pietersen and Bell defy Australia

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom, Aug 03 (AFP) - Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell kept Australia at bay with bold fifties but England still had plenty of work to do in the third Test at Old Trafford on Saturday.

At tea on the third day, Ashes-holders England were 211 for four -- a deficit of 316 runs -- and still needing a further 117 runs to reach a total of 328 that would see them avoid the follow-on

But they had at least denied Australia who, at 2-0 down with three to play, had to win this match to stand any chance of regaining the Ashes, a wicket in the session.

Pietersen was 78 not out and Bell, who'd already made two hundreds this series, 51 not out with the fifth-wicket duo's partnership so far worth 101.

England resumed Saturday on 52 for two after Australia had made 527 for seven declared on the back of captain Michael Clarke's commanding 187.

It was Clarke's highest Test score against England and the highest in an overseas Test by any Australian since nightwatchman Jason Gillespie's extraordinary 201 not out against Bangladesh seven years ago.

Shortly before Friday's close, Australia paceman Peter Siddle removed opener Joe Root and nightwatchman Tim Bresnan.

England captain Alastair Cook was 36 not out and Jonathan Trott two not out.

However, Trott was out for five when he edged a good length ball from fast bowler Ryan Harris low to Clarke at second slip.

Trott's exit brought in fellow South Africa-born batsman Pietersen, arguably England's most talented batsman.

Pietersen, however, was fortunate not to nick his first ball, an excellent delivery from Harris, and then got off the mark only by just keeping out a fine yorker from the same bowler.

Meanwhile left-hander Cook completed a 138-ball fifty including seven fours.

Pietersen, after a nervy start, began to find his touch with two well-pulled fours in successive balls from left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc.

But shortly before lunch Starc had Cook caught superbly for 62 by diving wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who held a right-handed chance off a genuine glance.

Then Bell, on four, survived an appeal for a catch by Haddin off Starc with the 'Snicko' device, not part of the Decision Review System that has caused so much controversy this series, indicating he'd got a thin edge.

At lunch, England were 119 for four with Pietersen 33 not out and Bell unbeaten on four.

Pietersen then attacked Nathan Lyon, danced down the pitch to drive the off-spinner for two superb sixes in successive balls as he completed a 71-ball fifty also including six fours.

Bell, one of England's best players of spin, followed suit by driving Lyon for a six of his own before he drove Starc to the extra-cover fence and next ball deliberately late cut him for four behind square.

All-rounder Shane Watson, with the first ball of a new spell, appealed for lbw against the advancing Pietersen, then on 62.

Tony Hill ruled in the batsman's favour and Australia opted against a review only for DRS to indicate Pietersen would have been out had they challenged the New Zealand umpire's decision.

Australia took the new ball with England 198 for four off 81 overs but, three balls later, Bell drove Starc down the ground, with his subsequent three off Siddle seeing him to a 93-ball fifty including eight fours and a six.

AUSTRALIA – 1ST INNINGS
(527-7 dec  - M Clarke 187, S Smith 89, C Rogers 84
M Starc 66 no, B Haddin 65 no; G Swann 5-159)

ENGLAND – 1ST INNINGS
(overnight: 52-2)
A. Cook c Haddin b Starc 			62
J. Root c Haddin b Siddle 	 		08
T. Bresnan c Haddin b Siddle 	 		01
J. Trott c Clarke b Harris 	 		05
K. Pietersen not out 				78
I. Bell not out 				51
Extras (lb5, nb1) 	 			06
Total (4 wkts, 86 overs, 370 mins) 	       211

Fall of wickets: 1-47 (Root), 2-49 (Bresnan), 3-64 (Trott)
		 4-110 (Cook)
To bat: J Bairstow, M Prior, S Broad, G Swann, J Anderson
Bowling: Harris 18-5-35-1
	 Starc 18-3-59-1 (1nb)
	 Lyon 19-5-58-0
	 Watson 11-6-14-0
	 Siddle 18-4-34-2
	 Smith 2-0-6-0