Bell's 199 highlights day two
Date released: 11 July 2008
Ian Bell's 199 is the highlight of day two of the England v South Africa Test Match at Lord's. Read a digest of the day's play, over-by-over, as it happened.
Follow the action, live from Lord's, with our over-by-over text coverage.
SA: 393-3 & 247
England: 593-8 dec
MATCH DRAWN
South Africa won the toss and chose to field.
Batsmen: Graeme Smith (2) & Neil McKenzie (5)
Bowlers: Nursery End: Ryan Sidebottom
Pavilion End: James Anderson
Odd numbered overs from the Nursery End, even numbers the Pavilion End
First over of day two was the 91st of the match
(Press F5 to refresh the page and keep right up-to-date)
Latest action
Following the game with Lords.org? Email us your questions, comments & opinions: Live@Lords.org
6:30pm: That's it for the day, the umpires have called it off. It's still raining, the stands are empty and the players will probably be having a well earned shower.
We're off too, see you tomorrow for more commentary and photos live from Lord's.
South Africa 7-0 - play abandoned for the day
6:19pm: A break in play and you know what to do: Send us your emails Live@Lords.org - though feel free to send them during play too!
Don't feel restricted to today's match though - got a comment or question on cricket in general? Let us know. A question about the laws that's always puzzled you - MCC are the Guardians of the Laws of cricket - if we don't know, we can find out!
Drop us a line: Live@Lords.org.
6:16pm: The umpires stay out there to take their meter readings - that will be the level they use for the rest of the match now.
The covers come out again, to protect the pitch from this mizzly, drizzling rain.
6:13pm 4th over: It's still drizzling but we play on.
The umpires offer the light and the batsmen eagerly scamper off - probably to stay dry if nothing else.
South Africa 7-0 - bad light stops play
6:09pm 3rd over: The clouds over Lord's are making it quite gloomy, there's still moisture in the air - ideal conditions for the swing bowlers really.
The air is getting a little too moist now though - umbrellas up in the stands again.
6:04pm 2nd over: Indeed it is Anderson joining the attack, from the Pavilion End. A mere three slips, a gully and point this time.
Ian Bell may want to look away now... One for the stat fans from the scorer here in the Investec Media Centre: Bell is the 7th man in Test history out on 199 - the first Englishman. That interesting fact won't make him feel much better.
McKenzie off the mark with a single.
5:57pm 1st over: More than half the England team in the cordon for this first over - four slips a gully and a point fielder. Michael Vaughan clearly fancies his chances - and Ryan Sidebottom beats Smith's bat with the first ball: "Ooooohs" around Lord's.
One from the over.
5:57pm: Here comes the players again - Ryan Sidebottom swinging his arms, he and James Anderson will, in all likelihood, open the attack for England.
5:53pm: We'll have a short break between innings and then England will have a go at the South Africa batsmen, who'll open up with Neil McKenzie and skipper, Graeme Smith - who did score a wonderful double century, last time he was at Lord's.
What do you make of the match so far? Is 593 enough for England? And what of the 'Flintoff dilemma'?
Our old friend, Geoff B has been emailing Live@Lords.org again - he thinks: "It may be Collingwood who would have to step down, at least for the moment and especially when on easier batting wickets." he's also not impressed by Tim Ambrose:
"Perhaps the return of Prior as wicketkeeper would bolster the batting."
What do you think? Send us your comments: Live@Lords.org
5:50pm: Poor old Ian Bell, he really deserved that double century, the crowd here were baying for it - perhaps that gave him the rush of blood which cost him his wicket. He batted brilliantly though, first as foil to Pietersen and then marshalling England's middle order as wickets fell around him.
England 593-8 dec
5:47pm 157th over: Bell on strike, on 199, facing Harris. Hold on to your hats.
Harris checks himself in his delivery stride and once again Lord's rings with 'Boos'.
Here it comes - Bell drives at one... but an amazing diving catch off his own bowling! Harris takes his wicket, caught and bowled. Out on 199 - agony!
England 593-8 - Bell c&b. Harris - ENGLAND DECLARE
5:42pm 156th over: After a heckle-inducing delay from Steyn, whilst he used some saw-dust to dry his hands, Bell's on strike and the crowd here want his double-century - so does Bell as he ducks into that hook, popping it up in the air... but over the fielder at mid wicket, a lucky escape.
Sidebottom's swinging and missing at a wider one from Steyn and it skips under Boucher's outstretched glove too - all the way to the boundary for four!
Steyn's going to come around the wicket for the last ball of the over - much fussing with sightscreens required - and all for a dot ball.
5:39pm 155th over: A little more wily than firey from Harris in that over. Sidebottom stuck on one, Bell just two runs away from 200.
5:36pm 154th over: Steyn continues to aim for Sidebottom's head and body - seemingly forgetting the three stumps behind the lower order batsman. An odd selection of deliveries this, to a tail-ender. Steyn's giving Sidebottom the evil eye too - perhaps Sidebottom's batting is more of a threat than most of us expect?
5:35pm: Here we go again, the players are on the field - Dale Steyn resuming his aborted over.
5:30pm: This rain delay gives another good chance for you to send us your emails: Live@Lords.org.
Where does this innings from Ian Bell rank? How about Stuart Broad? All the talk is of Andrew Flintoff returning as a batting and bowling all-rounder - but do England already have one?
5:27pm: Guess what? Just as the hover cover swings into place, the rain eases off again. It hasn't quite stopped, yet, but it's proving a frustrating day, weather-wise.
5:21pm 154th over: Steyn is two balls into the over and the heavens open again. The umpires are conferring - they're going to give the rain chance to pass. We'll play on!
Brave from the umpires but, ultimately, fruitless. The rain gets heavier and the players are heading off again.
England 587-7 - rain stops play
5:17pm 153rd over: Bell gets an edge to one from Harris and they run an easy two, so Bell can retain the strike.
They have to run quickly for the next two though - Ntini's throw just wide of Boucher, fortunately for Bell. He moves to 197 - just one lusty blow from a double-century.
5:13pm 152nd over: Steyn starts the 152nd over which he never got even a ball into before the rain. He has a couple of shys at Sidebottom - the big Nottinghamshire seamer just sways out of the way.
A maiden over from Steyn, who got quicker as the over wore on. Sidebottom ducking, diving and doing everything but swing his bat.
5:12pm: Here they come, at last - to resounding 'boos' from the Lord's crowd. Good pantomime stuff this. No prizes for guessing which side are the villains!
5:09pm: Bizarre scenes at Lord's. The covers are off, the umpires are out, the batsmen are waiting... and the South Africa team are nowhere to be seen! Minutes tick past and the crowd are getting restless - a slow hand clap goes up.
5:05pm: Covers are coming off and the umpires are on the field again - yet another brief interlude for rain. At least the bars at Lord's should be benefiting!
5:02pm: The rain has already stopped again, though the dark clouds still linger. Take your chance in this rain delay, let us know what you think of the match so far:
Send us your emails: Live@Lords.org.
With Sidebottom at the crease, should England declare and have a go at the South Africa batsmen? Or is Sidebottom's nightwatchman grit enough to hold up an end to help Ian Bell?
What do you think? Live@Lords.org.
4:56pm 152nd over: As promised by the dark clouds, here comes the rain. The ground staff are readying the covers but the umpires are hesitating... now they're going off and here come the covers again. Not a ball bowled of this over - just as Steyn was warming up.
England 579-9 - rain stops play
4:50pm 151st over: Turn and bounce for Harris and Broad is gone, bails off.
England 574-7 - Broad b. Harris - 76
A nice hand for the young England player, his highest ever Test score - well played. Not masses of turn on that for Harris it just straightened a touch - enough to deceive Broad at any rate.
As Sidebottom is taking his guard it has suddenly got very dark - the umpires have the light-meters out, but we're playing on. Slip and a silly point in for Sidebottom's first ball - which he nudges away for one run.
Bell gets a touch of the Pietersen's - not quite changing his grip, but reverse sweeping Harris - once for four, once for a dot ball.
4:46pm 150th over: A much better line in this spell from Ntini, but Broad pinches a single:
150 partnership: Bell & Broad
4:45pm: Dark clouds stacking up behind the Grand Stand and that's where the weather's coming from, on a gentle but consistent breeze. Still sunshine at Lord's though - for now.
4:42pm 149th over: Bell is shuffling, keen to get down the wicket to Harris - but good length from the spinner keeps him back. A maiden.
4:37pm 148th over: Time for a change and it's Ntini again. He got hit out of the attack last time. Better from Ntini, who has a long chat with Smith mid-over. Bell plays a good drop and run - Kallis fumbling the pick-up which could have troubled the batsmen.
4:33pm 147th over: Bell skips down the wicket and lofts Harris back over his and Neil McKenzie's (at mid off) heads. McKenzie makes a good chase, to stop it reaching the boundary.
4:30pm 146th over: Another good over from Morkel, ruined by a good cut shot from Broad and some hapless fielding near the boundary, which makes a single into two.
4:26pm 145th over: Broad picks it up over mid off for a four.
Bell's previous Test best was 162*, which came in only his third Test and was against Bangladesh at Chester-le-Street. Some would argue big scores against lesser nations 'don't count'. This one certainly does.
4:22pm 144th over: Just one from that over - Bell is getting ever closer to a double century. This is already his highest ever Test score.
4:19pm 143rd over: Bell does like facing Harris - another big shot for another boundary.
4:15pm 142nd over: Glanced away to give Amla another long chase down to the Grand Stand. Two more makes it:
550 up for England
4:11pm 141st over: Harris makes a good stop from his own bowling, to Bell. A tight over, just one run from it.
4:07pm 140th over: Morkel is back, chasing a place on the Batting - England, looking for a fifth victim.
Broad clips him away for four though and that makes it a record seventh wicket partnership for England against South Africa - beating the record set in 1913, apparently!
Broad, perhaps inspired by history, swipes another four - that's his highest ever Test score.
4:01pm 139th over: Harris continues from the Nursery End.
4:00pm: Your emails: Geoff B is back again, having emailed Live@Lords.org. He fancies his chances as an England captain in waiting:
"I think that it would be sensible to give the South African's a few overs before close of play. Two days in the field are bound to have an effect. Come on England we are all behind you.
"500 up and all credit to Bell and Pietersen for a fantastic innings and it is marvellous to have a No.8 who can hold a bat and score runs."
Do you agree with Geoff? Send us your comments: Live@Lords.org.
3:48pm: Bad news if you were hoping to come down after work to catch some cricket. I've just got the official line from the Ticket Office - there'll be no late gate today. It's a complete sell out here at 'The Home of Cricket'.
3:45pm: Come on then budding England captains, tell us what you would do:
Send your emails to: Live@Lords.org.
Do you let these two bat on? Declare if/when one falls? Or declare around 5 or 6 o'clock and let your bowlers have a dart at the South Africa openers in the late afternoon?
What's your opinion? Live@Lords.org.
3:43pm: That's only Broad's second Test fifty but he showed great maturity. He took his time, after a tentative start but settled in, playing his shots to reach his half-century.
The scoreboard is showing the 41 extras given up by South Africa - it includes 15 no balls. Graeme Smith will not be happy with that.
3:42pm: And that's tea.
England 535-6 at tea.
3:38pm 138th over: That will help! Broad hooks Ntini for four. A glowering look from the South Africa bowler.
What a way to bring up your fifty. Broad settles back and smears Ntini away for another four. Vaughan is back on the balcony now, applauding the young all-rounder, along with the Lord's crowd.
50 up for Broad
It's all going Broad's way now. He tries to play the same shot, gets an edge and it runs away for four. Ntini's furious.
3:35pm 137th over: Just one from that Harris over, to Broad - who creeps closer to his 50 - will he make it before tea?
3:30pm 136th over: Ntini's back for more and suddenly Broad is looking like he might make his 50.
Good cricket all round there, Bell flicks it down to fine leg. A good pick up and throw doesn't stop them running a quick two.
100 partnership: Bell & Broad
3:26pm 135th over: No hiding place for Ntini, as he has to watch one from Broad beat him to the boundary at deep square leg.
Vaughan's disappeared from the England balcony - possibly for a chat with Peter Moores and a calculator... and perhaps a weather forecast.
3:21pm 134th over: Ntini back in the attack... and perhaps wishing he wasn't now, as Bell cuts him for four, first ball of the over.
Bell makes the most of having no slips too, using the edge of the bat to nick four more.
Ntini's not enjoying this - Amla has a long, long run down towards the Grand Stand just stopping it before the rope. Broad runs three.
3:19pm 133rd over: A tight over from Harris, a maiden.
3:18pm: Vaughan is in good company on the England dressing room balcony: Pietersen, Collingwood, Ambrose, Cook and more keeping him company but he shows no sign of calling these two batsmen in.
3:14pm 132nd over: No slips now for Bell, facing Steyn. A fielder at silly mid on though - just to get him thinking.
Good running and a messy overthrow has Graeme Smith shaking his head.
500 up for England
3:12pm: With a bit of zip in the wicket now and not much batting left, you do wonder if Michael Vaughan will be tempted to declare and have a go at the South Africa openers late on today.
What would you do? Send us your comments Live@Lords.org.
3:08pm 131st over: Broad plays a cracking shot - perfectly bisecting two fielders through the on side - four.
3:05pm 130th over: Oh no, collars and umbrellas are going up in the crowd - ominous signs. Broad pays no heed though, getting bat on a sharp one from Steyn.
Hurrah, brollies down again - it was just another smattering of drizzle, barely even that. Two more for Broad as these two inch England closer to 500.
3:02pm 129th over: It's the 'out of the circle' Paul Harris coming on to bowl now. Perhaps he'll be more popular if he can pick up another wicket.
2:58pm 128th over: Broad is still getting the 'treatment' - two slips, a short leg and a silly point, facing Dale Steyn's seam bowling.
2:57pm: I take it back about De Villiers - a South African colleague has corrected me, it was spinner, Paul Harris, who was being anti-social.
2:52pm 127th over: De Villiers may as well have had that drink, his 'focus' didn't help him stop that one. Bell hitting Kallis off his hips for four.
2:51pm: Everyone takes a well earned breather - everyone except AB de Villiers that is - conspicuous by his absence from the SA huddle, preferring instead to remain in his post out near the boundary in front of the Grand Stand.
Eye on the Bell: Ian is still unbeaten on 150 2:43pm 126th over: A tight over from Steyn, Broad still not quite into his stride with the bat.
That's drinks.
2:39pm 125th over: Two slips a gully, cover point and mid off for Broad now.
2:32pm 124th over: A lovely straight drive, all the way down to the Pavilion from Bell.
150 up for Bell - 50 partnership Bell & Broad
Bell has batted excellently - you only fear, as has happened to him many times before when well set, he'll run out of batting partners.
2:28pm 123rd over: Kallis returns to the attack - and shows the guile that comes with experience, testing both batsmen.
Making is Morkel: Morne has taken four wickets 2:24pm 122nd over: Dale Steyn returns at the Pavilion End. Morkel has already done the damage, with a second two wicket spell, albeit either side of the lunch interval.
It's Broad picking the gaps now, driving Steyn on the up for four. Two men back towards the boundary now as Broad earns his respect in increments of one fielder at a time.
2:20pm 121st over: Bell seems happy to run singles - he obviously has more faith in Broad's batting than the South Africans do. Justifiable faith too, as Broad nicks one for three.
Back on strike, Bell picks his spot, through the fielders for four.
2:16pm 120th over: A neat single from Bell brings up:
450 up for England
Still the cordon for Broad: three slips, a gully and a point fielder - plus a short leg. In fact, there's only one man back, on the leg side.
2:10pm 119th over: Four men around the bat once more as Broad faces Harris again.
2:06pm 118th over: Tight stuff from Morkel, until Bell picks the gap and runs three.
Complete field change for the left-handed Broad - three slips, a gully and a short leg.
2:03pm 117th over: With just Ryan Sidebottom, Monty Panesar and James Anderson to come in the batting - you fancy these two at the crease now are England's last chance of a decent partnership.
Four men round the bat again for Broad.
1:59pm 116th over: Broad's first boundary, cutting Morkel wide of point.
That cut shot even has Morkel applauding, lovely stuff from Bell.
1:55pm 115th over: Smith can smell blood - one slip, a short leg and a silly point - four men around the bat, right up in Stuart Broad's face. The England youngster will need to keep his wits about him, facing Paul Harris' off spin.
He does just that, off the mark with a single, nicked past the short leg fielder.
Ian Bell gets the same treatment, four men around the bat but he's more than happy to take Harris on - lofting him down the ground for six!
1:54pm: If you're planning your next food/tea/loo break - word is the tea interval will be at the usual time: 3:40pm, despite the short rain delay earlier.
Of course, that's subject to change, subject to more rain.
1:50pm 114th over: Rain delay, two balls later again and South Africa repeat the trick. Morkel has Ambrose dangling his bat outside off and Graeme Smith lets the ball sail into his hands.
England 422-6 - Ambrose c. Smith b. Morkel - 4
Three slips and a gully now for new batsman, Stuart Broad. The Proteas have their tails up. They've taken three wickets in quick succession again. Morkel taking two of them, again... four in total for him.
1:48pm: We're on schedule - the skies remain clear and the players are on the field.
1:42pm: Hopefully Paul Collingwood can enjoy the sentiment of Evie's work - especially as TV replays seem to suggest he didn't get any 'batty' on that Harris delivery on which he was given out, caught.
1:41pm: Play due to start at 1:50pm says the official annoucement - weather permitting of course.
1:38pm: Little Evie Robbins is out there on the field now. The five-year-old won a design competition with MCC Spirit of Cricket and Chance to shine. Take a look at her winning design: 'Keep happy stay batty'.
1:31pm: 'YCs' Mark Tomsett and Kyle Hodnett are dragging a heavy rope over the outfield now, to help make the surface less treacherous for the fielders. Who knows, perhaps one day they'll be out there again, playing for England or South Africa. Hodnett is a Protea!
They wouldn't be the first - none other than Sir Ian Botham was once an MCC 'YC', amongst others.
1:25pm: The covers are coming off again. It's a slick operation. Mick Hunt has his ground staff well trained. Given the size of the field they have to cover, these guys make the Wimbledon boys look tardy.
They're ably assisted by some of the MCC Young Cricketers - it's all part of the cricketing education they received at MCC.
1:17pm: The ground staff are working hard to ensure the pitch is ready when the players are. The rain has stopped and the super-soppers/blotters are out, sucking up that moisture.
Signs are good for more cricket this afternoon.
How do you think things will go in this afternoon session? The match looks finely poised again. With moisture in the pitch and in the air, the SA seamers will be rubbing their hands together. Send us your comments or questions: Live@Lords.org.
1:02pm: Your emails - The gloomy weather is obviously having an effect on Geoff B who has emailed us at Live@Lords.org:
"I do not want to cast a shadow over the England innings but last time that South Africa batted second at Lords they scored well over 600 and beat us by an innings."
Do you share Geoff's pessimism? Or is it realism? There's a lot of talent in that South Africa top order.
1:00pm: We're off to get our lunch now and suggest you do the same. Whilst you're eating, to help you pass the time:
Send us your views: Live@Lords.org - what would be a good total now for England?
Or, browse our match action gallery - there are some great photos in there, including a snap of Kallis's caught and bowled chance off Pietersen.
The covers go on at Lord's 12:58pm: The view from the webcam in the Investec Media Centre gives you some idea of the gloom - the rain is torrential now.
Fear not though cricket fans - if any outfield in the world can deal with this deluge, it's Lord's. Described as 'the world's biggest putting green' the sand-based foundation will help drain this lot away in no time.
Almost as if admitting defeat, the rain starts to ease off a bit too.
12:54pm: Sure enough, it's action stations again for the ground-staff and the hover cover operation goes into motion once more.
England 422-5 - rain stopped play - early lunch called
12:48pm 114th over: Neat and tidy from Morkel but the clouds are looking threatening again. Brace yourselves for an early lunch-run office based cricket fans.
12:45pm 112th over: Ambrose is quickly into the groove, a well run three.
Wickets coming in batches again for South Africa and talk of England reaching 500 now seem a little premature.
12:42pm 111th over: A good break for South Africa - they've got Collingwood on the second ball after the rain delay! Harris turning one back that Collingwood can only fend to Amla at short leg.
England 413-5 - Collingwood c. Amla b. Harris - 7
A sharp catch from Amla, down in front of his laces.
12:40pm: The players are out again - the very definition of a short shower, that one.
12:38pm: Almost as soon as they have the cover in position, the rain stops! The ground-staff take the cover off again.
12:34pm 111th over: And the heavens open mid-over. The rain is quickly sheeting down. The players sprint off and the Lord's hover cover humms into action.
England 413-4 - rain stops play
12:28pm 110th over: Perhaps symbolically it's starting to look a little gloomy at Lord's now. The white clouds have been replaced by grey ones and the wind has dropped too.
Collingwood is off the mark with a couple of well placed shots.
Bell: batting well for England 12:25pm 109th over: Ian Bell is still there and looking in good touch. He'll have to take the lead now until Collingwood settles in at least.
12:24pm: A good over that by Morkel and at last the breakthrough South Africa were hoping for. With lunch rapidly approaching, England will be aiming to get there without losing any more wickets.
12:17pm: Your emails: Mary Wu has emailed Live@Lords.org. Lucky her, she has tickets for tomorrow but is, apparently new to the game and says: "I want to see some excitement! South Africa better do something to make it so!"
108th over: As if on demand, there's a wicket! Morkel catches Pietersen's edge and he's walking. Once again the Lord's crowd on their feet.
England 403-4 - Pietersen c. Boucher b. Morkel - 152
Two slips and a gully in for new batsman, Paul Collingwood. Last time Morkel got a breakthrough, it lead to a clatter of three England wickets.
Hashim Amla's back under the helmet at short leg too as Graeme Smith looks to crank up the pressure.
12:14pm 107th over: Bell is eyeing Harris up now - walking down the wicket to scoop him back down the pitch for four.
400 up for England
12:11pm 106th over: Pietersen stretches his legs - good running for a quick two there, he moves to 149*. A clip to the leg side, more quick running and Pietersen is saluting all sides of the ground again:
150 for Pietersen
12:07pm 105th over: An attempt to try something new - Paul Harris on at the Nursery End. Gentle spin and gentle scoring.
11:59am 104th over: Time for a change - Morne Morkel on at the Pavilion End. Just one from the over - and that's drinks. (Go and make yourself a cuppa!)
11:56am 103rd over: Some sharp fielding means he'll get that chance, second ball of this over.
He has to wait for the fourth ball, but he takes his chance. Running two - and running to leap and punch the air.
100 for Bell
A really well deserved century that. Bell removes his helmet to salute a very appreciative (and very full) Lord's.
11:50am 102nd over: At last a bit of encouragment for South Africa from that last over. Ntini continues from the Pavilion End.
A little toe-end nick has Pietersen examining his bat for damage but it still runs away for four. There are two men back on the boundary on the leg side now and one of them stops another good shot from Pietersen, just two from it.
That shot splits them in two though - finding the gap for four.
A single means Bell will have to wait for his chance to complete his century.
11:44am 101st over: First bowling change of the day, Kallis comes on for Steyn.
62 runs coming from those first 10 overs of the day.
Bell clips one away and is tempted to run two... but sticks on 99, to 'Oooohs' from an expectant Lord's crowd.
Pietersen and Kallis are exchanging broad grins as 'KP' hits one almost right back at Kallis, who cannot reel in the catch in his follow through strides.
11:41am 100th over: Just two slips now, at 1st and 3rd slip positions. A short mid on there now though - a bit 'after the horse has bolted' after that one off Pietersen's thigh.
Bell sneaks nearer his century. 150 partnership from these two now.
Make that 154, as Pietersen helps another leg-side delivery to the rope.
11:36am 99th over: A muted appeal from Steyn as he tickles Pietersen down the leg side - but no bat on that one.
Definite 'clunk' of wood on willow there, Pietersen hoiking Steyn, leg side again, for four. Last ball of the over, a good stop at short mid on, has Pietersen grounding his bat quickly.
11:33am 98th over: The bails are off... but it's only Pietersen, keeping Bell on his toes with a drive that was a little too straight, stopped by his partner's wicket.
Ntini gets one to rear up that Pietersen clips onto his thigh - it loops up and up... Boucher's running after it like a starving man chasing food... but it drops agonisingly in front of him. A half chance, gone.
11:26am 97th over: The Proteas look a bit flat. They're short of ideas and Smith is left applauding another great shot from Pietersen as he batters Steyn to the boundary again.
Perhaps they're relying on complacency, as Steyn gets a quicker one to beat Pietersen, who was already looking to the point in the stand where he was going to hit it. Another wild one from Steyn though, beats Boucher at full-stretch and adds five more to the score.
11:22am 96th over: Bell barely bothers to run for that one, by the time he's taken two steps it almost over the rope for another four on the leg side.
The first bit of fire from the South Africa attack today, as Ntini sends down a quick one that has Bell rocking back on his heels, out of the way as it passes him at head height.
Next ball he tries to repeat it but late movement deceives Boucher behind the stumps and it races away to the boundary.
Four more off the last ball and it's Pietersen again. The South African's are scratching their heads.
11:18am 95th over: Four more to Pietersen too as he steers Steyn through the leg side. Contrary to their sharp running, 'drop and sprint' of yesterday the batsmen are scoring almost exclusively in boundaries this morning.
11:14am 94th over: Bell edges one wide of the slips and that's four more.
11:13am: Put yourself in Michael Vaughan's shoes - what's a good target for England? Not getting ahead of ourselves, but can England reach 400, 500 or more? When would you declare on what looks a good wicket but has offered little to the South Africa attack.
Send us your views: Live@Lords.org.
11:04am 93rd over: A good, well run two for Bell early in the over. If the Warwickshire man can complete his century, he'll get a cracking reception from this Lord's crowd too. He's batted with good patience, acting as an excellent foil to Pietersen.
Bell might have one eye on his Lord's best too - 109* against West Indies last year. Prior to that he got an unbeaten tonne against Pakistan. Let's hope he doesn't get suddenly stranded again!
11:04am 92nd over: It's as we finished yesterday, Makhaya Ntini will bowl the second over of the day, from the Pavilion End.
Pietersen's second ball of the day and he's picking the gaps already - splitting two fielders on the leg side for four.
200 partnership - Pietersen & Bell
The scorer up here in the Investec Media Centre tells me that's the highest ever fourth wicket partnership by England against South Africa. They've really put England on top, after that flurry of wickets had them rocking at 117-3.
11:00am 91st over: Dale Steyn will start things off again on day two, from the Nursery End.
Second ball and Bell clips him off his pads for four.
Two slips and gully set by Smith - and he soon moves mid on out to deep square leg to try and cut off that clip shot of Bell's.
10:57am: Here come the players. Graeme Smith leading out South Africa first, then Pietersen and Bell, the former swinging his arms like windmills and skipping about the wicket. Both batsmen look, unsurprisingly fired up.
10:54am: Pietersen himself is all over the papers. He said the Lord's crowd played a huge part in his innings: "The crowd were magnificent." he said. And speaking of the huge, standing ovation he got: "I cannot thank anybody enough for that appreciation and applause. It was one of the most emotional two minutes of my career."
Good work cricket fans.
Following this from the office? What time do you finish today? Time it right and you could pick up one of the handful of tickets which sometimes go on offer for a 'late gate' in the afternoon session. Stay 'tuned' to Lords.org - we'll let you know ticket news as it breaks.
10:52am: The talk in the Media Centre today is all about man-of-the-moment Pietersen. One of the South African journalists said Pietersen's innings was the best he's ever seen against South Africa: considering all things, the match situation, the pressure and of course Pietersen's own South African heritage.
What do you think? Send us your views: Live@Lords.org.
10:45am: The pitch is suddenly all but empty, just the media-men out there now, as everyone gets ready for the start. It should be a fascinating morning's play.
If Pietersen and Bell settle into the scoring groove they had yesterday, England will be eyeing a big total. Graeme Smith and his team will be doing their utmost to prevent that.
The view from the webcam in the in the Investec Media Centre, early on Friday morning 10:08am: Check out the view from our webcam, up here, where we're reporting from, in the Investec Media Centre.
Those green blobs on the left are the South Africa team, now practicing baseball style pitch and catching. The white blobs are the England squad. All those other blobs are probably the lawn mowers, making Lord's look it's best.
10:05am: The pitch is a hive of activity again. England in front of the Grand Stand, playing touch rugby, the South Africa team towards the Allen Stand, playing what looks like an odd game of tag, where they end up in piles on top of one another. I'm sure there's some fitness merit in there somewhere...
9:47am: Remember to keep your emails coming in to Live@Lords.org - we'll publish the best ones and answer any questions you have.
If you have a comment on the match, teams or players - let us know. How about this for a 'starter for ten': Yesterday's unbeaten 104 was Pietersen's fourth century at Lord's. Given the situation, the opposition and the pressure - was it his best?
To help your memory, check the Lord's Honours Boards - Pietersen's three previous tonnes were: 134 against India; 109 against West Indies (both in 2007) and 158 against Sri Lanka in 2006.
Let us know your opinion: Live@Lords.org.
9:34am: Good morning and welcome back to Lord's for live coverage of day two of the Test Match.
What do the weather forecasters know? It was supposed to be raining in London this morning but once again, the skies over Lord's are blue and the clouds white. It should be another cracking day of cricket.
