Pietersen, Cook propel England

Cricket Third Test

The home team, replying to Sri Lanka's 184, reached the close on 195 for four after yet another rain-affected day at the Rose Bowl.
Pietersen, who also made 75 in the second-Test draw at Lord's, missed out on his 18th Test century when he fell just before stumps were drawn. Ian Bell was unbeaten on 39 and nightwatchman James Anderson was batting on nought.

Alastair Cook made a record-equalling 55 but Strauss's weakness against left-armers showed up again when he fell for three to seamer Chanaka Welegedera. Sri Lanka look as if they will struggle to claim the victory they need to draw the series after England won the first test in Cardiff, with bad weather having ruined every day of the game in Southampton.

Pietersen made his intentions known from the outset with a powerfully-driven boundary that went for four through mid-on after ricocheting off the stumps at the non-striker's end. He went from 36 to 44 with two elegant boundaries through mid-wicket and mid-off that summed up his three-hour stay at the crease.

Pietersen's 14th and final four took England past Sri Lanka's total and was another majestic boundary driven straight down the ground. Strauss was dismissed by Welegedera for the third consecutive innings, edging to Tharanga Paranavitana at first slip.  The England captain angrily thumped the bat with his glove after his dismissal. Left-hander Cook was third man out after a stand of 106 with Pietersen.

Score Board

SRI LANKA (I Innings; O/n: 177/9):
Paranavitana lbw Tremlett    11
Thirimanne c Strauss b Anderson    10
Sangakkara c Prior b Anderson    2
M J’wardene c Prior b Tremlett    4
S’weera c Pietersen b Tremlett    31
P J’wardene c Morgan b Swann4    3
Perera c Prior b Tremlett    2
Herath c Anderson b Tremlett    12
Fernando (not out)    39
Lakmal c Prior b Tremlett    0
Welegedara c Morgan b Broad    7
Extras (B-2, LB-15, W-4, NB-2).........23     
Total (all out, 64.2 overs)    184
Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-23, 3-29, 4-39, 5-89, 6-91, 7-117, 8-158, 9-166.
Bowling: Anderson 23-7-56-2, Broad 19.2-3-51-1, Tremlett 20-5-48-6, Swann 2-0-12-1.
ENGLAND (I Innings):
Strauss c P’navitana b W’gedara     3   
Cook c S’weera b Fernando    55   
Trott c P J’wardene b Lakmal    4   
Pietersen c P J’dene b Perera    85   
Bell (batting)    39   
Anderson (batting)    0   
Extras (W-2, NB-7)    9   
Total (for 4 wkts, 48 overs)    195   
Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-14, 3-120, 4-191.
Bowling: Chanaka Welegedara 13-1-44-1, Suranga Lakmal 11.4-1-52-1, Dilhara Fernando 6.2-0-36-1, Thisara Perera 13-2-46-1, Rangana Herath 4-0-17-0.