Photographs: BCCI
England's batsmen dominated the proceedings on Day 3 of the third Test against India, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, amassing 509 for 6 at stumps.
That gave them a massive lead of 193 runs, with Matt Prior (40) and Greame Swann (21) unbeaten at close of play.
Earlier, the morning session of the third day's play saw England captain Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott pile on the misery for India.
Resuming the day at 216 for 1, England did not have any problems negotiating the Indian bowlers, who again bowled without a plan. Making matters worse for them was some uninspiring fielding.
Cook had one edgy moment in the morning when he missed a sweep off Ashwin and the ball struck the pad outside the line inviting a huge appeal, but, thereafter, the English skipper continued from where he left off.
The duo of Ashwin and Ojha continued bowling for 15 overs together before India took the new ball in the 88th over, but the result was no different.Cook registers seventh Test 150
Photographs: BCCI
Cook had no trouble negotiating the home bowlers as he notched his seventh Test 150, clobbering Zaheer through mid-wicket as he continued his record-breaking innings.
The in-form batsman also went past 500 runs in the series, becoming only the third Englishman to do so in a series in India after Ken Barrington and Mike Gatting.
Through his fluent innings, Cook also ensured an out-of-form Jonathan Trott, who had two ducks in the first two Tests, returned to form, as the right-hander stormed to his 13th Test half-century.Ojha makes breakthrough after lunch
Photographs: BCCI
England went on to register their second century-plus stand as they looked to bat through the day.
The lack of enthusiasm was evident in the Indian fielders' body language when Ishant missed an easy caught and bowled chance offered to him by Cook.
The Indian bowlers finally found their mojo an hour after lunch. Ojha provided India the breakthrough they so desperately sought, having Trott caught behind, the ball turning considerably and taking a thick edge off the batsman's blade.
Trott's 87 (off 223-balls) was inclusive of 10 boundaries and with his captain put on 173 runs for the second wicket.Unfortunate Cook misses double hundred
Photographs: BCCI
Seven overs later, Cook's record-breaking eight-hour-and-12 minutes' innings finally came to an end in a freakish manner.
While backing up from the non-striker's end, he was caught short off the crease by Virat Kohli's direct shy at the stumps from the deep.
As he was approaching his third double century, he slowed down a bit while India kept attacking Pietersen at the other end.
Cook faced 377 balls during his record-breaking knock and hit 23 boundaries and two sixes.Ishant claims Bell's wicket
Photographs: BCCI
Ian Bell then replaced the captain at the crease, while Pietersen continued in fine form and found runs with ease.
He first slammed Ishant for a boundary to take England's lead past 50 and then hit Ojha for a straight six to take England to 381 for three at tea.
Post tea, the Indian bowlers struck again, this time Ishant taking the inside edge of Bell's bat which was caught behind.Pietersen strikes supple half-century
Photographs: BCCI
Samit Patel replaced Bell and batted with aggressive intent. A boundary from him past cover off Ojha helped the visitors get past the 400-run mark.
In the next over, KP completed his 28th Test fifty, his fifth against India.
But his stay at the crease was cut short when R Ashwin trapped him leg before.
KP's (54) 85-ball knock was inclusive of nine boundaries and a six.
Comment
article