Ian Bell built a serene maiden Test double hundred before falling for 235 as England moved to 591 for 6 at lunch on the third day at The Oval. India had managed to make early inroads with Sreesanth taking two wickets, but it had long since become an effort in damage limitation for them. The wickets were actually good news for Ravi Bopara who didn't spend another long stint in the dressing room and reached lunch unbeaten on 44.
Bell's 20th boundary took him to his milestone when he flicked Ishant Sharma to fine leg as he moved past his previous best of 199 against South Africa, at Lord's, in 2008. He celebrated with a dismissive pull through midwicket and continued to have few problems as he eased along against defensive fields until missing an aggressive sweep against Suresh Raina.
Although the game had been taken well away from India, Sreesanth at least bowled with a bit more verve during the morning session and showed the passion that has been lacking from India's performances. James Anderson, the nightwatchman, hung around for 20 minutes before jabbing Sreesanth to second slip and the bowler gave Anderson a long stare as he left the crease.
Sreesanth kept the batsmen on their toes during a lively spell and also accounted for Eoin Morgan who was named captain for England's one-day international against Ireland during the morning. That announcement came moments before he edged behind for 1, playing away from his body, still an area of concern with Morgan's game at Test level.
However, Morgan's failure meant Bopara didn't have to spend another day watching his team-mates pile on the runs even if 487 for 5 didn't exactly represent a pressure situation. He was off the mark straight away with an inside edge past the stumps and, as at Edgbaston, looked jittery at the crease.
The nerves were settled a little as he clipped a boundary to fine leg and cut the medium-pace of RP Singh through point. However, he should have been run out on 38 when there was confusion with Matt Prior over a single to backward point but the throw from Virender Sehwag to Amit Mishra was poor. Mishra, himself, continued to struggle with figures of none for 170.
Prior made a busy start to his innings to suggest England may not be planning on batting too far into the afternoon session. The run-rate during the morning was well over four an over, but something they'll have to factor in is the weather with cloud building up and some rain threatening to move in.
