Bell and Pietersen turn heat on Pakistan

LEEDS, England, Aug 5 (Reuters) Ian Bell outshone Kevin Pietersen with his third century in consecutive tests against Pakistan today as England were dismissed for 515 on the second day of the third test at Headingley.

The home side, resuming on 347 for six, lost both batsmen in the morning, Bell making 119 to Pietersen's 135, before Pakistan, 1-0 down in the four-test series, stumbled to 66 for two at tea.

Both Pakistan openers fell within 10 balls and in the space of two runs.

Taufeeq Umar was caught behind by a diving Chris Read off Matthew Hoggard to make it 34 for one before Younis Khan called Salman Butt for a tight single and Pietersen completed the run-out with a direct hit.

Younis was 15 not out at the break with Mohammad Yousuf on a nervy 11 after being dropped off a sharp chance to Paul Collingwood at third slip off Steve Harmison.

Pietersen and Bell put on 141 although their partnership was interrupted yesterday when Pietersen retired hurt with cramp in his left forearm.

All of Pakistan's four frontline bowlers conceded more than 100 runs, Umar Gul the pick with five for 123.

It was the 24-year-old Bell's fifth test century and his fourth against Pakistan. He also became the first England player to score three hundreds in consecutive tests in the same home series since Allan Lamb against West Indies in 1984.

Resuming on 66, he had one early scare, diving back into the crease at the non-striker's end just in time after a straight drive from Pietersen was glanced on to the stumps by Gul's fingertips.

The rest of his morning, however, was exemplary, his best stroke an exquisite late cut to the boundary off the same bowler.

Bell got to three figures by driving strike bowler Mohammad Sami through the on-side for the right-handers 11th boundary.

Bell, who took 172 balls and 225 minutes to complete his achievement, had expected to be dropped after the first test of the series only to be reprieved when Andrew Flintoff broke down with more ankle trouble.

Pietersen, who began the day quietly after reaching 104 not out yesterday, went on the attack nearing lunch with a string of boundaries before holing out to long off facing Sami. He faced 169 deliveries and hit 20 fours and two sixes.

Bell was finally dismissed by leg spinner Danish Kaneria as he shaped to cut. It was the first time in the series that a Pakistan bowler could celebrate taking Bell's wicket. His one previous dismissal of the series had been a run-out.

Sajid Mahmood (34 not out) and Harmsion got England past 500 by hammering 56 for the ninth wicket, with Harmison hitting 36 off 27 balls, including four fours and two sixes.

Graham Gooch trumped Bell's scoring sequence in 1990, but over two home series rather than one. He scored 154 and 30 against New Zealand, then added 333 and 123 against India, followed by 116 in the next test.

REUTERS AY RK2045