After an intreging day of test cricket on day 1 day 2 seemed to be an big day in how the match will pan out. England were 127-2 after the first day. With Zaheer injury England knew they had to take advantage of the situation in an improving conditions for batting. This was apparent that the conditions were easier as Trott and Pietersen were finding runs easier to come by. Pietersen was still struggling to get his radar right time to time and that kept the bowlers interested. The partnership was heading towards an century stand when Kumar got an ball to jack back at Trott and he was plum in front and India had there break through 50 minutes into the session. The partnership was 98 as England were 162-3. Unlike yesterday the ball didnt do as much so the swing was the exception not the norm unlike day 1 when it was the other way round.
Knowing they needed an at least another wicket before lunch the Indian really did put in an big team effort to get about an wicket. Pietersen still looked unsure and was still having to battle really hard for his runs. Runs were not coming for him and pressure was built. Harbhajan thought he had his man when they went up for an LBW shout which was turned down and replays show it was an brilliant decision as it was just going off the top of off stump. The next over Pietersen flicked an ball leg side which Dravid did an full length dive and it looked as if it was caught. Dravid was not sure and neither were the umpires it went upstairs and when it goes upstairs the benefit of the doubt always goes in the batsman way. It was given not out but many ex players said that he should have given out in first look and TV picture doesnt quite show the whole picture. He survived and next over he got to an strong 50. he did it un Pietersen like as he got it in 134 balls.
The steam had gone out of the engine for India after that as being an bowler short they were unable to threatened the batsman after that. Runs were coming easily and quickly which England really needed. The strange thing about this partnership was that Bell was taking the leading role as Pietersen still looked slightly troubled with the bowling. He didnt look his normal self yet. With 10 minutes to go to lunch England made the 200 and they even had time to reach the 50 partnership off just 83 balls with Bell scoring slightly more runs of the 2. With no more alarms they reached lunch at an very healthy 217-3.
The bowlers needing an rest the unthinkable happened right after lunch as the captain and wicket-keeper MS Dhoni decided to ball himself as Dravid took to the stumps. His first ball nearly took an wicket as he had an LBW for Pietersen turned down. In Dhoni next over he bowled an ball which went through Pietersen. Him and Dravid think he has been caught and he was given out however Pietersen didnt think he touched it he reviewed it and the decision was reversed. The two batsman got through an tricky 20 minutes after lunch and after that they were able to cut loose. Pietersen finally looking like his old self hitting the ball confidently finding the gaps and his feet movement was good. It took him 75 runs to get to this state but he had to really battle to and try and get the rewards. Bell was also looking his normal self and looked untroubled and solid. India hopping the new ball would change the fortunes and grab an wicket. Instead it went the other way with more runs being hit quicker. The 250 was up in no time since these 2 came together and the 100 partnership was also made in 171. Then Pietersen got to an milestone which he had to graft hard for as he reached his century off 216 balls with 10 fours. His delight was clear to see and got an standing observation from the Lords crowd.
When everything seemed to breezy for England an double strike for India. Bell seemed to be easing towards an 50 when Kumar got an ball to just swing away at the last moment where Bell fished out for and an easy catch for Dhoni. Kumar with his tail up bowled an super first delivery which just went past the bat of Morgan. The second was an good Yorker duck out and then 3rd ball he got an knick onto Kumar bowling and England were 270-5 and were again in a little bit of trouble. Brought Prior out with Pietersen. With only 30 minutes to tea people thought they might try and hold out till then but both started to play counter attack cricket and went after the bowling and got to 300 before tea as they made 305-5 at tea. The game in the balance at this stage as both teams knew starting the session better would put them ahead. India knowing an couple of wickets and they are into the tale and an England good partnership would win build an huge score.
Being an bowler light really started to bite the Indian team after tea. With extra overs having to be bowled because of the loss in day one the batsman really took control. Prior and Petersen were in no mood for sympathy as they were belting the ball all over the park as England started to take real control. The partnership went quickly to an 50 stand off just 77 balls. They were not finished there as the score soon got to 350 with both batsman looking at ease at the crease. The over after that Prior made an wonderful and entertaining 50 off just 72 balls. Hitting 5 fours. With just over an hour of the session gone the 100 partnership was struck on the strike of the drinks break. The partnership was 100 off 144 balls. The was racing towards 400 when Prior finally went for one too many shots and edged an ball for his opposite number to take. He made an wonderful 71 off 93 balls with 7 fours in it. Kumar then got another wicket next ball as he got the out of form Broad first ball plum LBW and suddenly Kumar was on an hat-trick and England might not get 400. 390-7 now. Swann survived the hat-trick ball.
For India that is as good as it got for them. England got to 400 in an special way as Pietersen got to an super 150 for 4 runs off 301 balls. The float gates opened as Swann and Pietersen took apart an tired bowling attack as runs were now coming at ease from all over the pitch. The over before the drinks break got more milestones passing as Pietersen got past 6000 runs and this partnership was 50 off just 44 balls as they reached 441-7. The over afterwards they reached 450 as England scored 50 runs in the last 4 overs as they were racing towards an deceleration tonight and have an few overs to ball at the openers. Swann luck did run out in the end as he went for one too many shots as Raina bowled him for 24 off 28 balls with 3 fours and partnership with Pietersen of 61. Pietersen then rounded off the innings in style hitting an 6 and 2 and then an boundary to get to an brilliant double century off 326 balls with 21 fours and 1 six as England declared 474-8 with India having to face an 30 minute spell.
England didnt use the 30 minutes well. Having questionable fields when England should have attacked and didnt make the Indian openers play as much. When they did the ball did something and the Indian openers struggled but that was too little. Tremlett bowled the best getting 3 LBW shouts turned down. But survived and were 17-0 at the close. India needing an big day tomorrow. Being on the back foot most of the test match and not able to take the slim opportunities they did have when England were 270-5. There world class batting line up needs to fire. For England its about bowling full and straight and trying to make the Indian batsman play and force the error. They need to take all there chances they get and be very disciplined in the fielding department. The Indian fielding was poor today. Set up brilliantly for day 3. England having the slight advantage but if the Indian batsman fire India will be right back in the game.
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