England Two Days Away From Historic Series Win

Centuries by both Alastair Cook and Ian Bell put England within sight of their first series victory in Australia for 24 years, after a dominant third day at the final Ashes test on Wednesday.

A record-breaking Alastair Cook led the way with 189, his third hundred of the series, while Ian Bell scored his first century against Australia with an elegant 115.

After playing the anchor role to Strauss on the second day, Cook upped the ante yesterday as he once and for all shut down all pre-series critics that has questioned his selection for the tour.

Cook and Bell added 154 for the sixth wicket in what can only be described as a match-defining partnership. 

The visitors’ command was cemented when Matt Prior joined Bell to add another 107 for the seventh wicket.

The morning session saw controversy when Cook, on 99, flicked a delivery from Michael Beer towards short leg where Phil Hughes claimed a catch, and the Australians began celebrating. However, after referral the TV replays showed the ball clearly bounced and Hughes looked to be unsure before joining in late with the appeal.

For much of the day, statisticians looked on as Cook batted with his a combination of skill, concentration and patience to surpass the series hauls of various exalted greats of the past.

In England record terms, the likes of John Edrich, Geoff Boycott, Graham Gooch and Denis Compton were all overtaken, before Cook finally edged a wide drive to gully off Shane Watson after tea.

England lost night-watchman James Anderson to Peter Siddle early on in the morning.

England upped their run rate significantly once the new ball was taken.

Ben Hilfenhaus's first over back into the attack went for eight, followed by Bell playing two straight cover drives off Peter Siddle.

Bell did well to realise that this was his last opportunity to mark his stamp on an epic summer, and unlike Collingwood, he took full advantage.

Bell fell in the penultimate over of the day to Johnson, as a defensive edge just carried to slip.

England led the Australian by 208 runs at the close of play.

One would imagine that Strauss will let his lower order bat out the morning session if possible, with all third innings runs proving crucial.

England are well poised to win this match if their bowling line up has one more burst left in them- which you can bet the likes of Anderson, Swann and Tremlett do.

England is now clear odds-on favourites here, with there still being plenty of opportunity to make some pennies on the Australian batting line-up.

If taking a flutter on this- Michael Hussey will be your best bet, as this is a man who loves his batting, especially when the cards are stacked against his team.

Australia captain Michael Clarke commended the English batsmen for their discipline, and for capitalising on the inconsistent bowling attack, but didn't think Australia had been rubbed out of the contest.

"We're going to have to put up a really good fight and get a big total," he said. "If we can get somewhere between a 180-200 run lead, on the last day of the SCG test match, I'm confident we can still win the game."

Either way, a fascinating two days of Test cricket remain, however this clash is England’s for the taking.