Australia finally dismissed Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen scored his first Test century in 28 innings as England continued to pile on the runs in the second Ashes Test on Sunday.
Cook’s occupation of the crease ended on 148 in the 97th over when he got an inside edge off paceman Ryan Harris and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin took a splendid one-handed catch.
The Adelaide crowd rose to their feet to cheer Cook from the field after his 15th Test century and third against Australia.
Cook has now scored 450 runs in the series for two dismissals for an extraordinary average of 225.
The Essex left-hander had occupied the crease for almost 22 and a half hours and faced 865 balls in the series.
Pietersen shrieked with delight and leapt into the air after he broke his century drought for England.
The mercurial number four batsman bounded through for a single off Harris to claim his overdue century.
Pietersen had not reached three figures since his 102 in the fifth Test against the West Indies at the Port-of-Spain in March last year.
Pietersen-Collingwood partnership
Cook and Pietersen put on 175 runs for the third wicket.
At first hour drinks, England were 378 for three with Pietersen on 122 and Paul Collingwood not out seven.
The tourists had pushed their lead out to 133 runs with seven wickets in hand on another warm day in Adelaide, but rain was forecast for later.
In the corresponding Adelaide Test in the last Ashes series four years ago, Pietersen scored 158 and Collingwood 206 in a ground record fourth wicket stand of 310 runs.
Australia were rattled out for 245 after winning the toss on Friday’s opening day, their worst performance in the first innings at Adelaide since being skittled by the West Indies for 213 in 1993.
Rain-delayed match
Meanwhile, rain delayed play after tea on the third day in the second Ashes Test between Australia and England at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
England were 551 for four in their first innings with Kevin Pietersen unbeaten on 213 and Ian Bell not out 41 in reply to Australia’s 245. — Sapa-AFP