England dominated with the bat on the second day of the fourth Test against India at the Oval.
After a rain affected first day, Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell both smashed centuries to help the hosts end on 457-3.
It was the visitors who got off to the better start, with Alistair Cook [34] caught off the fifth ball of the day, courtesy of the bowling of Ishant Sharma.
Captain Andrew Strauss took over an hour in adding two runs to his overnight score of 38 before being caught behind by MS Dhoni off of the plucky Sreesanth.
At 97-2 it looked as if India may have finally found their fighting spirit, but the partnership of Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen scuppered any such thoughts.
Their 350 run exhibition was England's highest-ever partnership against India and their ninth-highest overall.
Where Bell displayed excellent control and technique, Pietersen was his usual explosive self, at one point engaging in some heated words with Sreesanth out in the middle.
Pietersen was eventually caught and bowled by Suresh Raina on 175.
Bell continued to pile up the runs and finished on 181 not out at the close of play, with nightwatchman Jimmy Anderson also at the crease.
Jack Prescott
