England heap on runs against India as Ian Bell made Double Ton

LONDON, The 20^th of August, 2011.

Ian Bell fulfilled a maiden Test double century as England unremitting to heap on the runs against India in the series finale at The Oval here on Saturday. Bell's 235 was the foundation of England's 591 for six at lunch on the third day of the fourth Test. England, already 3-0 up and gazing to complete a whitewash in this four-match series, lost three wickets in the session but that did them little dent, with the rain that fell at lunch more of an apprehension. 

Ravi Bopara, in for the injured Jonathan Trott, was 44 not out after running just seven in England's innings and 242-run win at Edgbaston last week that saw then replace India at the top of the ICC's Test Championship table. Matt Prior was not out on 18. Three Indian bowlers have given more than 100 runs each, with leg-spinner Amit Mishra (none for 170 off 38 overs) the most expensive. 

England recommenced on their overnight score of 457 for three.  Bell was 181 not out after sharing an England record stand against India of 350 with Kevin Pietersen (175). Kevin Pietersen played outstandingly for his 175 Runs. James Anderson, unusually sent in as a nightwatchman, was three not out. Bell played one of the best shots of his innings early Saturday when he on-drove pace man Ishant Sharma down the ground in classic style.

Anderson further added a few boundaries too before he was trapped by second slip Venkatsai Laxman off seamer Shanthakumaran Sreessanth for 13. Sreesanth thumped again when he had Eoin Morgan, trapped behind by India captain and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. But England were still well-placed at 487 for five. Bell, whose previous Test-best was 199 against South Africa at Lord's in 2008, went to his double century with a glimpsed four down to fine leg off Sreesanth. But the 29-year-old Warwickshire's fifth Test century of the year came to an end when he was leg before wicket to spinner Suresh Raina after misplayed a sweep. That set the seal on a inspirational innings of nearly eight-and-a-half hours where Bell faced 364 balls with 23 fours and two straight sixes off consecutive balls from Mishra. 

It also meant Bell had befallen into the leading run-scorer in Test cricket this year, with 950 runs at an average of 118.75 and, accentuating england's recent success, led team-mates Alastair Cook (927) and Kevin Pietersen (731) at the top of that table.