Openers hand England ideal start

12 April 2012

England's batsmen set about frustrating Australia's hopes of wrapping up the third Test and the Ashes today with a solid start to the fourth day at the WACA.

Resuming on 19 for one and trailing by 537 runs knowing they have to bat out the final two days to avoid an almost inevitable defeat, England were aware of the importance of surviving the early part of the day when the ball was still relatively new.

It was a mission they accomplished with opener Alastair Cook and Ian Bell successfully forging an unbroken half-century stand after seeing off the first spells from Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath to reach 57 for one after an hour's play.

Neither the pace of Lee or the guile of McGrath could find an early breakthrough with Cook and Bell looking to play positively as England chased a history-making victory target.

West Indies' 418 for seven recorded against Australia in Antigua three years ago is still the highest score in the fourth innings to win a Test, but England set out looking as if they believed they could overhaul it.

Cook and Bell both seized on loose early deliveries to notch early boundaries and it took a double bowling change by Australian captain Ricky Ponting to start causing the England batsmen a few headaches.

Stuart Clark, Australia's best bowler in the series, was delayed until the 12th over of the morning before he replaced McGrath and straight away caused Bell to play a false shot which was edged short of the slip cordon.

Warne looked equally threatening in the next over and beat Bell with a fiercely-turning leg-break but it did not prevent the Warwickshire batsman twice hitting him over the top for a four and then a six to bring up the 50 partnership.

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