England fought hard making just 215 runs in 98.3 overs, as Australia could only take 4 wickets on a fairly slow and dull 3rd day at The Oval.
The day started fairly well for England with Root and Cook putting on their first 50 partnership of the series. They'd got to 68 together when, on 25, Cook had a flash outside off-stump, edging a Ryan Harris delivery to Brad Haddin. So yet another low score for Cook and he might not have another Test innings this summer of any length. Joe Root wasn't at his fluent best, but he dug in and played fairly nicely in making his half-century. He'd got to 68 when top edged a sweep to Watson at short fine leg to give Lyon his first wicket, leaving England on 118/2. Trott was next to go for 40, but he was trapped LBW by Mitchell Starc just before Tea.
After Tea, Pietersen and Bell carried on slowly making a 31 run partnership in around 20 overs. Pietersen had just got to his half-century when he edged a Mitchell Starc delivery to Shane Watson in the slips for 50. Ian Bell and debutant Chris Woakes saw England to the close without any further event really. Bell finishing on 29 not out and Woakes on 15 not out, having hit his first ball in Test Cricket for 4. England closed then on 247/4, still 245 runs behind.
With rain around tomorrow possibly, it looks like this match is slowly heading for a draw with 2 days to go, so long as England get the 46 more they need to avoid the follow on. I just hope for a slightly more eventful day tomorrow. I'll be back tomorrow night to round up the fourth day's play.
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