London: Joe Root's unbeaten knock of 178 gave England a huge lead of 566 runs over Australia on the third day of second Test, which saw only two wickets falling throughout the day at Lord’s on Friday.
As the day progressed the Aussies looked worn out as Root along with Ian Bell completely dusted their arch-rivals in this contest. England ended the day with 5/333 out of which 162 runs came in the final session. Bell played a brilliant knock of 74 runs to make sure that English take a comprehensive lead
The final session saw some explosive batting from both Bell and Root as they kept dealing in boundaries to put the Aussies on back-foot. After Bell fell to Steve Smith, Root freed his arms as he smashed couple of sixes and is on his way to a double hundred.
Earlier in the day, Root and Bresnan didn’t allow the likes of James Pattinson and Peter Siddle to do the early damage. Bresnan managed to survive the first session and was looking in no hurry to lose his wicket. They managed to add 83 runs in the first session as Bresnan scored 32 and Root 45 runs. Bresnan was dismissed by Pattinson after the lunch and Bell came into the centre. A big howler was committed by third umpire, Tony Hill, when Bell edged the ball to the Smith who was standing at gully. The TV replay clearly showed that Smith’s fingers were under the ball but technology wasn’t good enough for the third umpire to make a correct decision. In the second session England added just 57 runs off the 27 overs that they batted.
England 2nd innings- 5/333 (Joe Root 178*, Jonny Bairstow 11*, Ian Bell 74, Tim Bresnan 38, James Pattinson 1/42, Steve Smith1/65, Peter Siddle 3/65)
Australia 2nd innings 10-128 (Shane Watson 30, Michael Clarke 28, Chris Rogers 15, Graeme Swann 5/44, Tim Bresnan 2/28, James Anderson 1/25)
England 1st innings 10-361 (Stuart Broad 33, Graeme Swann 28, Ryan Harris 5/72, Steve Smith 3/18