Kevin Pietersen starred on Day 3 of the 3rd Test at Old Trafford, scoring a much more controlled Pietersen century as England continued to toil otherwise on Saturday in Manchester. The century was Pietersen's first at Old Trafford in a test match, and couldn't have come at a more important time for his team. At the close of play England found themselves at 294/7 in a precarious position, still 233 runs behind - 34 more needed to avoid the follow-on. The men at the crease when England resume tomorrow will be Matt Prior on 6 not out and Stuart Broad on 9 not out, with Graeme Swan and James Anderson the only men left to come in for the hosts.
The day started pretty poorly for England, as they had only added 12 runs to their overnight score when Jonathon Trott departed for 5. Trott struggled throughout the morning with his technique and his bat coming down straight, as he continued to step well across to the off-side. This turned out to be his downfall today as he was very indecisive whether to leave or play, instead doing neither and edging a Ryan Harris delivery to Michael Clarke. Kevin Pietersen then joined Alastair Cook at the crease, as the pair put on 46 and Cook passed what was a very battling half century. This was before Cook was caught by keeper Haddin down the leg-side off of Mitchell Starc, as the captain once again had issues with his head falling forward when playing clips to the leg-side, resulting in his dismissal for 62.
The in form Ian Bell then joined Pietersen at the crease just before lunch. The pair batted very well together, with Bell continuing in his good form, while Pietersen started to find some form of his own. Their partnership lasted the entire of the afternoon session, and was only broken early in the evening session as Harris bowled Bell, with a delivery that just moved enough to get through his defences, as Bell was forced to depart for a very well made 60 off of 112 deliveries. His partnership with KP had put England back on track slightly and looking like avoiding the follow-on. That wicket brought Jonny Bairstow into the middle, with England still 302 behind. Bairstow put on 52 with Pietersen and had got to 22, before he lost patience, having a drive at a Mitchell Starc delivery outside off-stump and was caught by Shane Watson.
That meant that Matt Prior was in to join Pietersen who had stayed strong while others fell around him. Unfortunately his innings was ended when Starc got one to come back at KP's pads. Pietersen reviewed and although there was a faint mark on hotspot, and Snicko (not part of the review system) showed a noise, the decision was still given out as the ball just pitched in line. The end of what was a superb innings from Pietersen and one of his least attacking centuries for England. Even though he took on Lyon, hitting 2 sixes, Pietersen made his 113 off of 206 balls. Stuart Broad then joined Prior at the crease and both just blocked out the remaining overs until the close with Prior on 6 from 40 balls and Broad 9 from 31.
Tomorrow will be the key day of this test match. If England avoid the follow-on and the forecast showers mean that much time is lost on the fourth day, then the draw will be the favourite result heading into day 5. However, if Australia can bowl England out quickly and enforce the follow-on, they still have a great chance of winning the match - weather permitting of course.
Whatever happens, it should be a very intriguing days Cricket and one that I look forward to reporting on tomorrow. See you then.
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