Prior and Bresnan to put second Test out of the reach of India
Published:It was certainly an eventful day at Trent Bridge yesterday and while Ian Bell takes up most of the column inches this morning, it is the England batsman who should be the centre of attention.
Bell’s glorious knock of 159 coupled with half centuries for Kevin Pietersen, Eoin Morgan and Matt Prior have put England firmly in charge of this second Test and they will start day four with a second innings lead of 374 runs.
400 runs across the day is an incredible achievement and while it was made easy by some lacklustre performances from the Indian bowling attack, it was a day in which the England batsman proved they are the best in the world.
Prior will resume on 64 and Tim Bresnan will resume on 47 this morning as Andrew Strauss looks to his tail end to push on and with Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann and James Anderson still to bat, England are in a strong position to win this Test.
At 4/11, it looks done and dusted for England but they must be weary about the quality of the Indian batsman, especially with two full days of play left.
A lead of at least 400 is needed and while the pitch has come in for a lot of attention, England have proved that it is possible to bat well on it.
When the opposition can boast the calibre of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman. Yuvraj Signh and MS Dhoni there can be no room for complacency and Strauss will be hopeful his side can bat through until lunch.
It’s 5/6 that England go on to score over 522.5 runs and Prior is 5/6 to go and make 90.
That would leave England with a lead of around 450 and that should be enough to ensure England head to the third Test at Edgbaston with a two Test lead.
