Cook and Bell put England in control
- 13 years ago
Hundreds from Alastair Cook and Ian Bell put England on course to win the Ashes outright in Australia for the first time in 24 years.
Prolific opener Cook missed a second double-century of the series by just 11 runs but ticked off another clutch of Ashes run-scoring milestones nonetheless.
Bell (115), with whom Cook shared a crucial sixth-wicket stand of 154, finally added the first Ashes century of his career in an England total of 488 for seven and lead of 208 at stumps on day three at the SCG.
Requiring only a draw to close out series victory, the odds were therefore stacked in the tourists' favour.
It was another disappointing day for Paul Collingwood who was dismissed for 13. Night watchman Jimmy Anderson was out for seven and Kevin Pietersen for 36.