0England reach 346 - 7 after Aamer demolishes Englands top order

England reach 346-7 after Aamer demolishes England's top order

LONDON: Hundreds from Jonathan Trott and Stuart Broad saw England enjoy an extraordinary reversal of fortune in the fourth and final Test against Pakistan at Lord's on Friday. England, who had slumped to 47 for five in the face of fine swing bowling from left-armer Mohammad Aamer, ended the second day on 346 for seven as they looked to finish the series 3-1 winners. Trott was 149 not out and Broad, whose century was his first in Test cricket, 125 not out. Their unbroken stand of 244 -- made after they'd come together at 102 for seven -- was an England record for the eighth wicket against Pakistan. Previous record was 167 made by David Gower and Vick Marks at Faisalabad in 1983-84. Earlier, Aamer ripped through England's top order on his way to career-best figures of six wickets for 73 runs in 23 overs. That saw the 18-year-old, in his 14th match at this level, become the youngest bowler to take 50 Test wickets. England resumed on 39 for one, with Trott eight not out, in overcast conditions after bad weather meant only 12.3 overs were possible Thursday. Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood and Eoin Morgan -- England's Nos 4, 5 and 6 respectively --were all dismissed by Aamer for nought. England were 97 for five at lunch but they were soon 102 for seven as Aamer took two wickets in three balls to dismiss Matt Prior and Graeme Swann. But Broad, who like his father Chris, the former England opener, is a left-handed batsman, gave stylish support to Trott. Trott, 77 not out at tea, completed his third Test century, with a quick single that became a five after four overthrows from Imran Farhat, after facing 195 balls with 13 boundaries in nearly five hours at the crease. Broad, in his 32nd Test, followed him to a century with a three off left-arm quick Wahab Riaz, having faced 159 balls with a six and nine fours. Pakistan did not have long to wait for a breakthrough on Friday. Aamer squared up Oval centurion Alastair Cook off the day's third ball and the left-handed opener was caught behind for 10. Pietersen then saw his run without a Test century extended to 26 innings when he was out for a first ball nought, caught behind chasing a ball well outside off-stump. And when Collingwood was lbw to a late inswinger, England were in dire straits at 39 for four.