England leads Australia by 92 runs with 6 wickets left on day 3 of 1st test at Trent Bridge

NOTTINGHAM, England – England lost two wickets in a tense morning session Friday to move to 157-4 at lunch on the third day of the opening Ashes test against Australia for a lead of 92 runs at Trent Bridge.

Kevin Pietersen made 64 from 150 balls with 12 fours before bowled after playing on to James Pattinson, ending a 110-run partnership with Alastair Cook.

Australian teenage debutant Ashton Agar, who made a world record 98 for a No. 11 batsman on Thursday, claimed his first test wicket when Cook’s leading edge was well caught at slip in a one-handed effort by Michael Clarke. The England captain made 50 from 164 balls with two fours.

Ian Bell was 20 not out and Jonny Bairstow unbeaten on 13 at the interval.

England resumed on 80-2, and after two days of unrelenting drama the first hour was comparatively slow — if no less nerve-wracking.

Pietersen brought up his 50 with a drive off Starc in the 50th over, and Cook whipped Agar through midwicket to bring up the century partnership in the 54th. But there were few chances until Pietersen dragged Pattinson onto his stumps on the final ball before the drinks break three overs later with 121 on the board.

Cook reached his 50, from 164 balls, with a single from Agar. But the 19-year-old left-arm finger spinner removed him in the 60th with an off break that Clarke took high over his head to leave the total on 131-4.

The dismissals slowed an already pedestrian run rate, best exemplified by Shane Watson bowling 34 balls before England managed a scoring shot against him.

Australia wasted its final referral in the 69th over, claiming an lbw decision against Bairstow from a ball that was drifting considerably down leg side. The two batsmen saw out the session and the test remains finely balanced.