England vs South Africa 1st Test - Bell's 199 help Eng 593

Ian Bell's 199 runs and Pietersen's 152 runs helped host England to declare their 1st inning on 593 runs for 8 wickets against South Africa on the 2nd day of first test match at Lords, on Friday, 11th July, 2008. South Africa made 7/0 at the stumps of day 2.

Both Bell and Pietersen continued their overnight form and made a record partnership of 286 runs for the fourth wicket. Pietersen out on 152 runs off just 181 balls with 20 fours and 1 six. Bell then made a partnership of 152 runs with Broad for the 8th wicket as Bell out on 199, and Broad a pleasing 76 runs.

Bell just missed his 1st double hundred as out on career-best 199 runs off 336 balls with 20 fours and 1 six.

For South Africa , its again a tough day on the field as Morkell took 4 wickets and Paul Harris took 3 wickets. South Africa were 7/0 on the stumps of day 2 with Smith and McKenzie played out 20 deliveries before light was offered.