Ashes 2013: England’s Kevin Pietersen content with ‘OK’ day three
Ashes 2013: Kevin Pietersen admits England's day three went "OK" after his 113 helped the hosts post 294-7 at Old Trafford
Kevin Pietersen felt England’s day three went “OK” after the hosts finished on 294-7 in response to Australia’s 527-7 declared in the third Test at Old Trafford.
The 33-year-old’s spirited knock of 113 helped England edge towards avoiding the follow-on – the hosts need 328 to do so – while Ian Bell chipped in with a valuable 60.
In the morning session, Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott both fell cheaply before Bell and Pietersen put on a stand of 115 runs to help steady the hosts.
After Bell was ousted, Jonny Bairstow posted a disappointing 22 runs and Pietersen fell before the close of play to hand the initiative back to the Aussies, with Stuart Broad and Matt Prior at the crease.
“We wanted to bat the full day and obviously did not want to lose any wickets. We’ve gone OK,” Pietersen told BBC Sport.
“The good thing is that we showed you can score runs on this wicket. If we can have a positive day tomorrow then anything can happen. We can get the runs to avoid follow on and even if we don’t then we can bat for a good length of time.”
On his century, Pietersen added: “It only means something if we get a draw or a win. Standing here it means absolutely nothing.”
