[1]Adelaide, Dec. 5: Kevin Pietersen became the fifth Englishman to score a double century in Australia as England’s lead ballooned to 306 runs on the third day of the second Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
The number four showman relished his return to the ground where he last hammered a big century to continue England’s relentless accumulation of runs to plunder the home attack.
When rain washed out play after tea England were 551 for 4 with Pietersen on 213 and Ian Bell providing solid support on 41.
Skipper Andrew Strauss has a decision to make whether to bat on or declare and send Australia back in with two days left to get a result with the weather threatening to intervene.
Pietersen joined teammates Alastair Cook and Paul Collingwood, Walter Hammond (3) and Reg Foster as English double-centurions in Australia.
Pietersen dominated the third day as he helped himself to his second Test double-century and was within reach of his highest Test score of 226 against the West Indies in May 2007.
In doing so Pietersen broke through for his first Test century in 28 innings since his 102 against the West Indies at the Port-of-Spain in March last year.
Pietersen was in virtuoso form, clubbing 31 fours and jumping down the wicket to launch a six off spinner Xavier Doherty in his chanceless knock.
Scoreboard
Australia 1st innings 245
England 1st innings (overnight 317 for 2): A. Strauss b Bollinger 1, A. Cook c Haddin b Harris 148, J. Trott c Clarke b Harris 78, K. Pietersen batting 213, P. Collingwood lbw b Watson 42, I Bell batting 41. Extras (b-8, lb-12, w-8) 28. Total (for 4 wkts in 143 overs) 551.
Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-176, 3-351, 4-452.
Bowling: Harris 29-5-84-2, Bollinger 27-1-121-1, Siddle 26-3-100-0, Watson 19-7-44-1, Doherty 24-3-120-0, North 18-0-62-0.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/kp-doubles-aussie-agony-061210jpg-013