Ashes PHOTOS: England struggle despite Pietersen fifty

England, led by Kevin Pietersen’s half-century, ended Day 3 in the fifth Ashes Test on 247 for 4, with Ian Bell (29) and Chris Woakes (15) unbeaten at stumps, on Friday.

- Scorecard

England still trail Australia by 245 runs in the first innings.

Pietersen scored a patient fifty, minus his regular histrionics, as England scored at a very low run-rate. His bottom-edged boundary -- England's first in 14 overs -- off Test debutant James Faulkner saw him to fifty on the ground where his stunning maiden century at this level secured an Ashes-clinching draw eight years ago.

However, Pietersen could not add to his total as he edged Mitchell Starc to Shane Watson, at first slip, to leave England on 217 for four.

Earlier, England's batsmen batted at snail's pace. Pietersen was not his usual self and was 29 not out at the tea break.

There was hardly any action in the second session of the day, as Jonathan Trott (40) and Pietersen were involved in a woefully slow partnership.

Trott’s first boundary came off the 78th delivery he faced.

Australia's bowlers were also unable to find a breakthrough.

But they maintained the pressure and even managed to keep Pietersen quiet.

At one point Pietersen's frustration was evident when, on 11, he attempted a suicidal quick single and was well short of safety when David Warner's throw narrowly missed the stumps.

England staggered to 150 when Pietersen drove a full toss from leg-spinner Steve Smith back over the bowler's head for four -- it was the first boundary for 11 overs.

Nathan Lyon extracted some turn which troubled both batsmen but they picked a few easy singles to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Australia then took the second new ball just before tea and got the expected result soon.

Starc trapped Trott lbw with his first delivery, the batsman failing to get the decision overturned on review.

Lyon provided Australia a major breakthrough on Day 3 when he dismissed the well-entrenched Joe Root shortly after lunch.

The batsman top-edged a sweep and was caught at short fine leg by Shane Watson.

Root was out for 68 and England were reduced to 118 for 2

In the morning session, a patient half-century by Root helped England crawl to 97 for 1 at lunch.

Cook and Root, who resumed on 32 for no wicket, batted cautiously through the first hour under clear blue skies against tidy but largely harmless fast bowling.

Root produced two neat wristy flicks to the mid-wicket boundary and Cook drove Ryan Harris square for four but runs were generally hard to come by.

Replying to Australia's 492 for nine declared in ideal batting conditions, Cook and Root took their opening partnership to 68, England's best of the series, before the captain fell for 25 nibbling at a wide ball from Harris.

Three balls after the drinks break Cook played needlessly at a wide ball from Harris and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin took a neat diving catch.

England's captain swished his bat in frustration as his disappointing series continued and his dismissal sent Root into his shell.

The 22-year-old failed to score a run off 19 balls in a row but he pulled Peter Siddle for a single just before lunch to reach his half-century, from 145 deliveries, including eight fours.

Root has struggled with the bat since making 180 in the second Test at Lord's.