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First Test Day Two (close): England 474-8 dec (Kevin Pietersen 202*, Matt Prior 71, Jonathan Trott 70, Praveen Kumar 5-106) India 17-0. England lead by 457 runsKevin Pietersen answered his critics in emphatic style at Lord's, with a double century to resist India's attempts to force their way into the first Test.
Praveen Kumar claimed a five-wicket haul as the tourists staged mini-fightbacks on the second day of the opening clash of the series, but Pietersen led the way.
It was not so long ago that Pietersen had his desire questioned. Before this knock he had reached three figures in Tests just once in the previous two years, albeit an Ashes double ton in Australia. This was also his first century on home soil in almost three years.
Andrew Strauss declared when Pietersen passed 200, giving their opponents a tricky period before stumps against the new ball, which Abhinav Mukund and Gautam Gambhir negotiated without loss.
India were dealt a blow before the start of play as Zaheer Khan was unable to take to the field due to the hamstring injury he picked up on the opening day.
England v India Scorecard
A statement from the tourists optimistically suggested he may be able to bowl later in the match, with the the left-arm paceman restricted to work on the exercise bikes in the gym while his team-mates looked to add to their two overnight wickets.
They made an early breakthrough when Kumar trapped Jonathan Trott in front of his stumps for his first Test wicket on English soil.
But Pietersen was starting to seize control of proceedings, helped by a couple of decisions from the third umpire. The first came when Rahul Dravid appeared to have pouched a chance at leg slip, although replays suggested the ball touched the ground as he caught.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni had taken the wicketkeeper's pads off to bolster the bowling attack and thought Pietersen had nicked him behind, only for "hot spot" to reverse the umpire's decision.
Pietersen took full advantage and reached his ton off 216 balls, celebrating with a leap and a punch into the air, his first century in England since August 2008 against South Africa.
It was a grind compared to his usual attacking approach. Pietersen may have batted outside his crease and wandered across his stumps to create angles, but it was an orthodox innings played with a straight bat.
India, or Kumar more precisely, staged their first comeback before tea with two wickets in four balls, starting when the edge of Ian Bell's bat was found after a fluent innings of 45. Eoin Morgan then walked when he felt he got an inside edge behind, although replays pointed to the ball flicking his pad.
Matt Prior supported Pietersen with an aggressive 71 but his innings came to an end when he flashed hard at a cut and nicked Kumar behind to Dhoni, who had the gloves back on when he was not bowling.
Kumar then dismissed Stuart Broad first ball to claim his fifth victim of the innings and get his name on the honours board in the Lord's dressing room. Graeme Swann kept out the hat-trick ball and his cameo maintained the momentum as Pietersen accelerated.
REACTION:
England batsman Pietersen admitted it was hard work getting behind 100, telling Sky Sports News:
"Goodness, it was nice from 150 to 200 but to get there was a mission. It was just great to bat with the other lads. I found it hard and the other lads scored quickly and took the pressure off me. It's always nice to get the team into a position where hopefully we can do something in this Test match."
On his game:
"Obviously I haven't had the best couple of years. I had a goodish start to the summer, a pretty good winter, but there are others in the dressing room doing really well. All these guys have lifted their game to a new level and I've had to try to do my best. I did that today."
On others getting runs:
"As long as we keep winning and getting ourselves in a position to win, that is the main focus for me."
On reaching 6,000 Test runs:
"It's always nice to do that but the most important thing is that we are in a real good position. Hopefully we have enough runs to put a lot more pressure on them."
On his celebrations:
"I wouldn't say I felt pressure before this Test but you always have to score runs. Nobody ever takes anything for granted. It's a huge, huge series and a huge, huge Test match and those are the things that I thrive on."
On Dravid's "catch":
"He thought it was out but you have to use the technology. I get on well with most of the lads in the India team so there was a good atmosphere out there."
India bowler Kumar was pleased with his five-wicket haul and told Sky Sports News:
"I feel very good, I'm enjoying playing cricket here and bowling."
On Zaheer's injury:
"There was lots of pressure on the bowlers as he was injured and we had to try to bowl in longer spells. I enjoyed that pressure, 100 per cent."
MEMORABLE MOMENT: Pietersen punching the air in delight when he reached his ton, then his celebrations for his double century were similar. It has been a while since his last century on home soil and he let his emotions out when it happened.
PLAY OF THE DAY: Pietersen using his crease to his own benefit. He kept wandering to the off-side to open up the leg-side. It put him at risk for a leg-stump yorker but he kept out that threat.
WHAT IT MEANS: England are in control and should not lose from this position. It is an opportunity to take the initiative in the series for Strauss' team.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/07/22/first-test-day-two-kevin-pietersens-double-century-puts-englan/
Florent Malouda Francesco Totti Frank Lampard Frank Ribery Frederic Kanoute
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