As Trent Bridge gets ready for another day of high quality cricket, there are more milestones to look out for this morning. Broad will start the day just short of his half century on 47 whilst partner Bell is five away from completing a memorable hundred. This game is still some way away from its conclusion but the first hour could prove crucial to determining the final pattern of the game.
England have reached the close unscathed since tea and with a lead of 261 to their name. Bell will be back tomorrow on 95 with Broad on 47. England will resume on 326-6 on the fourth day.
Ian Bell (89) and Stuart Broad (45) have shared in a 100 partnership which has also took the lead past 250. England will be hoping to lose no more wickets before the close of play which is four overs away.
A day after his swashbuckling 98, in which he looked to have been stumped for 6, controversy found youngster Ashton Agar again. This time it was when he was bowling as Broad seemed to edge to slip only not to be given out. The tourists were furious but the English fans loved it and the lead is now up to 244. Broad remains on 40 whilst Bell has made his way to 85.
The ninth-wicket partnership is up to 65 with the lead now on 218 and with just under 20 overs to bowl in the day there could still be a few late surprises. Bell is into the seventies on 71 and Broad on 29.
Shane Watson has tied down England’s charge and now has astonishing figures of 11 overs for just three runs. Both batsmen remain unmoved though but Broad did offer up a few chances in Watson’s last over. He needs to be patient alongside Bell as the final part of the day beckons and the crowd recognise this by cranking up the noise once again. England move to 265-6 and the lead reaches 200 with a Bell single moving him to 66 with Broad on 20. Cries of “England, England, England” cry out as the crowd let the Aussies know who the home side are.
Bell and Stuart Broad are moving the England score along nicely as 25 runs have been added since tea at a rate of 4.17. Bell is now up to to 60 whilst Nottinghamshire seamer Broad is on 16. The most telling statistic is the lead which stands at 190, still a long way away from being in a comfortable position.