Bell back in the runs as England build lead in Ashes opener

Ian Bell put a run of low scores behind him with a valuable fifty as England extended their advantage in the first Ashes Test at Sophia Gardens on Friday.
England were wobbling at 22 for two in their second innings when Bell, with just 56 runs in his previous nine Test innings, came into bat.
But at tea on the third day they were 149 for three, a lead of 271 runs.
Bell was 53 not out and first-innings century-maker Joe Root 31 not out, with their unbroken fourth-wicket stand now worth 76.
England started the second session on 22 for one, 143 runs in front, but with Australia's quicks looking menacing.

Having seen captain Alastair Cook fall before the break to Mitchell Starc, struggling with an ankle injury, England lost Gary Ballance for a duck in the first over after lunch when he gloved Josh Hazlewood through to wicket-keeper Brad Haddin.

England were now 22 for two on a pitch where variable bounce was making life increasingly tough for batsmen.
The 33-year-old Bell, appearing in his 111th Test, came in having struggled since making 143 against the West Indies in Antigua in April.
But the experienced right-hander, out for one in the first innings, reeled off four fours in his first 13 balls faced on Friday including a textbook cover-drive boundary off left-arm paceman Starc.

Left-handed opener Adam Lyth, seven not out at lunch, pull-drove Starc for four and next ball guided him down to the third man rope.
Australia captain Michael Clarke brought off-spinner Nathan Lyon into the attack but Lyth responded by slog- sweeping his sixth ball Friday for six.