The Ashes 2013: 4th Test, Day 3 - Heroes of the Day

England batsman Ian Bell cuts the ball watched by Brad Haddin during day three of 4th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at Emirates Durham ICG on August 11, 2013 in Chester-le-Street, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

England fought back hard to regain honours on Day 3 after Australia had the upper hand for the first two days of the fourth Ashes Test.

Having dismissed the visitors for 270, the Poms fell to 49/3 before recovering through two fruitful partnerships to finish the day at 234/5 – a 202-run lead.

Here are the Heroes for the day:

Ian Bell (105 n.o. off 189 balls – 10 fours)

The Warwickshire batsman seems to have learned from his quick dismissal in the first innings. Curbing his attacking instincts, Bell returned to the basics as he went about resurrecting the England innings – first with Kevin Pietersen, with whom he added 106 runs for the fourth wicket, and later raised 66 for the fifth wicket with Jonny Bairstow. The trademark drives and cuts were back in full flow as Bell reached his 20th Test century.

It was nice to see the Australian players come up to the middle-order stalwart and compliment him on a well-paced knock. He will look to stretch England’s lead past the 300-run mark if he can bat throughout most of the fourth day. Terrific knock!