Bell, Pietersen leave England well placed against India

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LONDON: Ian Bell's purple patch continued with an unbeaten century against India that left England well placed on 296 for two at tea on the second day of the fourth and final Test at The Oval here on Friday.

Bell was 114 not out and Kevin Pietersen not far off his 19th Test century on 98 not out.

England's third-wicket pair had so far added 199 following a session where the hosts did not lose a wicket.

It was just what England, who replaced India as the world's top Test side after their innings-and-242-run victory at Edgbaston last week, wanted as they pursued a 4-0 series whitewash.

India had produced a much improved bowling performance to remove England openers Alastair Cook and skipper Andrew Strauss before lunch and leave the home side on 126 for two, with Bell 29 not out and Pietersen unbeaten on 18.

But in near ideal batting conditions, the England duo upped the run-rate.

Pietersen was the initial aggressor hitting two fours in an over then, Bell started a sequence of four boundaries in five balls.

Bell completed his fifth century in 11 Test innings this year and 16th in all when he forced part-time spinner Suresh Raina off the back foot for his 12th four in 181 balls.

India took the new ball in the last over before tea but it made no difference.

Earlier, Ishant Sharma needed just five balls to reduce England to 75 for one when he had Cook caught at first slip by Virender Sehwag off a good length ball as the hosts failed to add to their overnight score following a first day where rain meant there was no play after lunch.

Cook, who made a career-best 294 at Edgbaston, was out for 34.

Strauss, Cook's fellow left-hander, struggled as India's bowlers performed with much greater discipline than on Thursday.

But it was in chasing a wide-half volley from Sreesanth that he was caught behind by India captain and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for 40.