Adelaide, December 1:

England battled the lesser angels of their nature to reach 266/3 on the first day of the second Ashes cricket Test against Australia.

England owed that position to Paul Collingwood, who shared partnerships of 113 with Ian Bell and 108, unbroken, with Keven Pietersen through the day’s second and third sessions to restore the England innings after the loss of both openers before lunch.

At stumps, Collingwood was unbeaten on 98 and Pietersen on 60.

Collingwood and Bell batted through the entire second session, bringing up their half centuries almost simultaneously. Bell was out early in the final session, after increasing his score to 60 with successive fours off Brett Lee. Collingwood and Pietersen added 122 runs in the post-tea session which was the portion of the first day that England dominated.

Pietersen dashed to his 50 from 69 balls, with successive fours off Shane Warne. His 50 included four fours and a six, also hit off Warne. Stuart Clark finished the day as Australia’s best with 2-25. Lee took Bell’s wicket at a stiff cost of 77 runs from 20 overs.

SCOREBOARD

ENGLAND — 1st Innings

A Strauss c Martyn b Clark 14

A Cook c Gilchrist b Clark 27

I Bell c & b Lee 60

P Collingwood not out 98

K Pietersen not out 60

Extras: 7 (1lb, 6nb)

Total: 266/3

FoW: 1-32, 2-45, 3-158

Australia bowling: Lee 20-1-77-1, McGrath 18-3-51-0, Clark 15-3-25-2, Warne 27-6-85-0, Clarke 10-1-27-0