Pietersen and Bell hold firm after Harris treble

Image
AFP Chester-Le-Street
Last Updated : Aug 11 2013 | 8:40 PM IST
Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell halted Australia's advance after a treble strike by Ryan Harris on the third day of the fourth Ashes Test at Chester-le-Street on Sunday.
At tea, England in their second innings were 123 for three, a far from decisive lead of 91 runs, with both Pietersen and Bell 37 not out having so far added an unbroken 74 for the fourth wicket.
England, who at 2-0 up in the five-match series had already retained the Ashes, were in dire straits at 49 for three as 33-year-old fast bowler Harris inflicted their latest top-order collapse this series.
Harris, playing a third straight match for just the second time in a 15-Test career plagued by injuries, took three wickets for 18 runs in 24 balls either side of lunch.
Before the interval, Harris bowled Joe Root (two) with a superb seaming delivery that clipped the top of off stump.
Soon afterwards, with conditions still overcast, he induced England captain Alastair Cook, on 22, into nicking a loose drive outside the left-hander's off-stump to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.
Jonathan Trott, with Australia captain Michael Clarke attempting to restrict his run-scoring by packing the on-side field, then gloved Harris and was well caught down the legside by a leaping Haddin for 23.
Pietersen, fresh from his 113 in the drawn third Test at Old Trafford, showed fellow South Africa-born batsman Trott how it should be done by pulling a short ball from Harris for four.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Aug 11 2013 | 8:40 PM IST

Next Story