Tom Fordyce, BBC Chief Sports Writer

“Some days of Test cricket are played out in half-empty stadiums, the weather grey, the cricket stodgy. Walking round Trent Bridge this morning is the complete, joyous opposite – thousands of beaming faces, the smell of sun-cream and cold lager, the sun bright, the sky clear and the cricket thrilling. There can be few happier places in the country today.”

Ian Bell has finally fallen for 109 but his knock has put England in a strong position. Starc gets one to straighten a touch and that is another to catch the outside edge which goes through to Haddin. The lead is now up past 300 and as Bell strides off to a standing ovation, Finn takes his place and the next half an hour could produce a few fireworks.

After reaching his century, Bell has added just the one run but that won’t bother him at all. The Warwickshire batsman will be looking to push the England lead past 300 and beyond with the help of the likes of Swann.

Malcolm Ashton, BBC TMS
“This is a record-breaking seventh-wicket partnership at Trent Bridge in a Test for England. The previous best was 119 between Matt Prior and Tim Bresnan against India in 2011.”

Alan Tyers, The Telegraph
“Superb day again yesterday. Ian Bell produced, for me, his best and most important innings in an England jersey. If he had got out for a pretty 30-odd, I reckon Australia would have won. As it is, the has put England firmly in the driving seat. Scyld Berry reckons England can stick on another 50 today, and that should be enough for the win. Even if they were knocked over in five minutes this morning, I reckon 261 is still a serious target for Australia, probably beyond them already but you never know.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/theashes/10170731/Ashes-2013-first-Test-live.html

Sir Ian Botham, The Mirror
“I’d be a lot happier in the England camp, but before people start thinking about a win, I would say there is still a long way to go in the game – and nothing is impossible for a team with Michael Clarke in it. What was all the fuss about? Stuart Broad did absolutely the right thing in standing his ground after that edge. Broad was entitled to stay put, he did not try to influence the umpire in any way, he just stood there and waited for a decision. He’s got away with one. Good luck to him.
If you’re going to start banning and taking action against players who don’t walk, then Australia wouldn’t have a cricket team.”
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/cricket/ian-bothams-ashes-opinion-stuart-2048956#ixzz2Yv9JWQJF

Simon Burnton, The Guadrian
“I think it would have been bizarre, even reprehensible, for Broad to walk. Cricket isn’t about actually getting the batsman out, but convincing an umpire that the batsman is out. In the case of Trott, Australia didn’t get the batsman out, but convinced an umpire that they had. In the case of Broad, they did get the batsman out, but failed to convince an umpire that they had. They’re two sides of the same coin, and if Australia were happy to win the coin-toss with Trott, then they can hardly complain when it lands on the other side.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/jul/13/the-ashes-england-australia-live-report

Broad finally falls after a partnership of 138 with Partner Bell. A shorter, wider delivery from Pattinson does the trick as Broad feathers an edge through to keeper Haddin. The lead in now 281 as Swann strides to the crease with Bell still unmoved on 101.

The atmosphere builds around Trent Bridge this morning.

Sledging is a natural part of any Ashes game. So, in tribute to the Australian team, three lads from Gloucestershire have come in what they describe as the Australian national uniform! Tom Paterson, Jason Savage and Ronnie Freeman are regulars to Trent Bridge. “We come every year”  Ronnie said “The good thing about Trent Bridge is that everything is on the doorstep. We stay over and have a good night out.” They predict an England win  ”But not until tomorrow” says Tom.  ”We don’t want to go home too early!”