Pietersen England's most prolific
ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the third day at Old Trafford
Brydon Coverdale and Jarrod Kimber at Old Trafford
03-Aug-2013
Kevin Pietersen became England's most prolific scorer in international cricket • PA Photos
Milestone of the day
When he scored 80, Kevin Pietersen overtook Graham Gooch's record of 13,190 runs in international cricket across all formats to become England's most prolific batsman. The stroke that took him past Gooch, an edge off Peter Siddle that flew to the boundary through vacant third slip, was less than convincing, but reaching the milestone underlined Pietersen's excellent record since his international debut in November 2004.
When he scored 80, Kevin Pietersen overtook Graham Gooch's record of 13,190 runs in international cricket across all formats to become England's most prolific batsman. The stroke that took him past Gooch, an edge off Peter Siddle that flew to the boundary through vacant third slip, was less than convincing, but reaching the milestone underlined Pietersen's excellent record since his international debut in November 2004.
Non-review of the day
It might not have been intra-squad factional warfare, but Michael Clarke and Shane Watson couldn't come to an agreement when Watson appealed for an lbw against Kevin Pietersen shortly before the new ball arrived. Watson was convinced Australia should ask for Tony Hill's not out call to be checked; Brad Haddin seemed to indicate he thought it was missing leg and Clarke declined to ask for the review. Pietersen had walked down the pitch, so the distance was also a concern, for if he was struck more than three metres from the stumps the decision could not be overturned. But Hawk Eye would have sent Pietersen packing for 62, which left Clarke swearing at himself in frustration when that message was soon relayed from the dressing room.
It might not have been intra-squad factional warfare, but Michael Clarke and Shane Watson couldn't come to an agreement when Watson appealed for an lbw against Kevin Pietersen shortly before the new ball arrived. Watson was convinced Australia should ask for Tony Hill's not out call to be checked; Brad Haddin seemed to indicate he thought it was missing leg and Clarke declined to ask for the review. Pietersen had walked down the pitch, so the distance was also a concern, for if he was struck more than three metres from the stumps the decision could not be overturned. But Hawk Eye would have sent Pietersen packing for 62, which left Clarke swearing at himself in frustration when that message was soon relayed from the dressing room.
Legside dismissal of the day
Some bowlers feel the need to attack on or outside off stump. These men are boring. Mitchell Starc sees no need to conform to the normalcies of cricket. With Alastair Cook well set, and seemingly ready for the sort of innings where he grinds down the opposition and fans, it took something special from Mitchell Starc to get him out. That something special was the Starc specialty, the very fast and very inaccurate legside delivery that took the edge of the bat and sailed safely into the Brad Haddin dive. It was similar to the delivery he removed Root with at Trent Bridge. England have plans for a lot of things, this one will be harder to work out.
Some bowlers feel the need to attack on or outside off stump. These men are boring. Mitchell Starc sees no need to conform to the normalcies of cricket. With Alastair Cook well set, and seemingly ready for the sort of innings where he grinds down the opposition and fans, it took something special from Mitchell Starc to get him out. That something special was the Starc specialty, the very fast and very inaccurate legside delivery that took the edge of the bat and sailed safely into the Brad Haddin dive. It was similar to the delivery he removed Root with at Trent Bridge. England have plans for a lot of things, this one will be harder to work out.
Miss of the day
Pietersen could easily have been out first ball. Throwing his hands at a wide, length delivery from Ryan Harris, Pietersen was fortune to miss and not gift an edge to Haddin. It was a key moment, for after a nervous first 20 minutes, Pietersen contributed his highest score of the series to date and, while he was never quite at his best, the 23rd century of his Test career was a valuable one for England.
Pietersen could easily have been out first ball. Throwing his hands at a wide, length delivery from Ryan Harris, Pietersen was fortune to miss and not gift an edge to Haddin. It was a key moment, for after a nervous first 20 minutes, Pietersen contributed his highest score of the series to date and, while he was never quite at his best, the 23rd century of his Test career was a valuable one for England.
Noise of the day
Ian Bell, too, was somewhat fortunate to get off the mark. Prodding at his fifth ball, Bell was beaten by a fine delivery from Starc outside off stump. While the bowler did not appeal, Haddin was quick to claim the catch but Australia decided against calling for a review. It is unclear how the TV umpire would have reacted had a review been required: there was no sign of an edge on Hot Spot, but the audio replays suggested the ball had indeed clipped the bat.
Ian Bell, too, was somewhat fortunate to get off the mark. Prodding at his fifth ball, Bell was beaten by a fine delivery from Starc outside off stump. While the bowler did not appeal, Haddin was quick to claim the catch but Australia decided against calling for a review. It is unclear how the TV umpire would have reacted had a review been required: there was no sign of an edge on Hot Spot, but the audio replays suggested the ball had indeed clipped the bat.