Pietersen strike puts England on brink of victory
Source: Agencies |
December 7, 2010, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
KEVIN Pietersen took center stage at both ends of the fourth day of the second Ashes test yesterday by following a career best batting performance with a key Australian wicket.
Pietersen added the final flourish to a magisterial double hundred in the morning sun before he was dismissed for 227 as England accumulated a huge first inning total of 620 for five declared. He then returned in the gloaming to remove vice-captain Michael Clarke with the last ball of the day for 80.
Australia goes into the final day on 238 for four with its last two recognized batsmen at the crease and 137 needed to make England bat again.
Its main hope of forcing a draw is the weather with heavy storms forecast. Rain stopped play for just under an hour in the third session yesterday.
Graeme Swann, the world's top-ranked spinner, took two wickets including Ricky Ponting for nine following the Australian captain's first ball duck in the first innings.
Pietersen then accounted for Clarke with his part-time off-spin.
"It's a massive bonus for us," Swann said. "Sometimes you need a bit of inspiration and who better to deliver it than KP? We love KP, especially when he's got a double century and gets their best player of spin out."
Mike Hussey and Clarke fought a desperate rearguard action for the hosts throughout the latter part of the rain-disrupted third session and the pair looked set to resume their partnership on the final day until Pietersen came on to bowl.
Clarke, who had made a solid 80, initially walked when Alastair Cook took the catch at short-leg but returned to his crease when the umpire failed to give him out.
England requested a review and, to the delight of the massed ranks of the "Barmy Army" on the grass bank under the scoreboard, Clarke was walking again when the pictures clearly showed the ball hit the face of his bat.
Pietersen added the final flourish to a magisterial double hundred in the morning sun before he was dismissed for 227 as England accumulated a huge first inning total of 620 for five declared. He then returned in the gloaming to remove vice-captain Michael Clarke with the last ball of the day for 80.
Australia goes into the final day on 238 for four with its last two recognized batsmen at the crease and 137 needed to make England bat again.
Its main hope of forcing a draw is the weather with heavy storms forecast. Rain stopped play for just under an hour in the third session yesterday.
Graeme Swann, the world's top-ranked spinner, took two wickets including Ricky Ponting for nine following the Australian captain's first ball duck in the first innings.
Pietersen then accounted for Clarke with his part-time off-spin.
"It's a massive bonus for us," Swann said. "Sometimes you need a bit of inspiration and who better to deliver it than KP? We love KP, especially when he's got a double century and gets their best player of spin out."
Mike Hussey and Clarke fought a desperate rearguard action for the hosts throughout the latter part of the rain-disrupted third session and the pair looked set to resume their partnership on the final day until Pietersen came on to bowl.
Clarke, who had made a solid 80, initially walked when Alastair Cook took the catch at short-leg but returned to his crease when the umpire failed to give him out.
England requested a review and, to the delight of the massed ranks of the "Barmy Army" on the grass bank under the scoreboard, Clarke was walking again when the pictures clearly showed the ball hit the face of his bat.
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