CHESTER-LE-STREET // England centurion Ian Bell is delighted to see his approach paying dividends as his sublime Ashes series continued.
Bell ended the third day's play at Chester-le-Street unbeaten on 105, his third century in the four Tests to date, to give the hosts the upper hand.
After mopping up the last five Australian wickets on Sunday morning to limit the first-innings deficit to 32 runs, England lost early wickets themselves and were in trouble at 49 for three, just 17 in front, when Bell joined Kevin Pietersen in the middle.
The pair steadied the ship with a partnership of 106 before Pietersen departed for 44, and Bell then added 66 with Jonny Bairstow (28) before reaching his century shortly before stumps to help England to a lead of 202 runs with five wickets remaining.
"We just needed somebody to get out there and get runs," he told Sky Sports. "Kev played really well, too, and it was nice to dig in as a partnership and get some runs.
"I haven't tried to do anything different from what I was against New Zealand, but something's clicked. It's nice to get in and be able to go big."
Bell had one alarm shortly before reaching three figures, edging Jackson Bird just out of the reach of Michael Clarke at slip to move from 97 to 99.
But he actually drew encouragement by that delivery, an off-cutter which got big on him, as he looked ahead to England's bid for victory.
"That's how it is here at Durham," he said. "For periods, it does nothing but then the odd ball will.
"We need to get as many runs as we can tomorrow and then hopefully bowl well and get 10 chances.
"I'm sure there will be some deterioration, there always is on days four and five, but as many as we can get tomorrow will be nice."
England closed on 234 for five and with a lead of 202 runs, mainly due to Bell's unbeaten and near-flawless knock of 105 - his 20th Test century and the fourth in his last five Ashes Tests.
The Australians only added 48 to their overnight 222 for five, restricting their first-innings lead to 32 as Stuart Broad finished with figures of five for 71, but they established command when paceman Ryan Harris reduced England to 49 for three shortly after lunch on a deteriorating pitch.
However, the fourth-wicket partnership between Bell and Pietersen proved crucial for England.
The match is still up for grabs heading into Monday's fourth day, and rain is forecast, but England will be the happier of the two teams, considering their position at the start of the day and the poor start to their reply. In a reasonably low-scoring game, the lead is significant.
The tourists were hampered when all-rounder Shane Watson was unable to finish his seventh over because of pain around his right hip and groin. He will be assessed by the Australia medical team overnight and his availability may be in doubt on Monday.
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