A fighting half century from Kevin Pietersen kept England afloat
and they were seemingly on course to save the final cricket Test against India
on the final day reaching 232 for 3 at tea in their second innings.
India now have another 34 overs to dismiss England for an outright
win.
At the break, Pietersen was 71 not out (166m,128b,13x4) while
Paul Collingwood was batting on 23 (71m,55b,3x4). Together, they have
so far put on 80 runs for their fourth wicket stand in 71 minutes.
Pietersen came to the wicket after India had removed both the
England openers in the first session and he batted sensibly mixing caution with
aggression.
He got off the mark courtesy a full toss from Anil Kumble that he drove
past the bowler to the fence before playing an excellent drive off the spinner.
After losing Michael Vaughan soon after lunch, Pietersen
thrived in the company of Collingwood as the pair had to deal with vicious turning
deliveries from Kumble and Sachin Tendulkar on a wearing pitch.
The Indian fielders too contributed to the home team's cause
with Rahul Dravid dropping Vaughan early on off Kumble and Mahendra Singh
Dhoni letting off Collingwood on 13 off an arm ball from Tendulkar.
Pietersen then began to take charge taking two fours off a
Zaheer Khan over, driving powerfully through the off side. Collingwood gave
him fine support sending Tendulkar to the boundary twice in an over cutting
him behind point.
Pietersen soon completed his half century in 126 minutes off
108 balls striking 9 fours.
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