Trott, Broad hit hundreds to give England control

LONDON (AP):

Jonathan Trott and Stuart Broad each hit a century yesterday to lead England to a remarkable 346-7 at stumps, following an early collapse against Pakistan on day two of the decisive fourth Test at Lord's.

Pakistan paceman Mohammad Amir claimed Test best figures of 6-73 to help reduce England to 102-7 shortly after lunch, but Trott and Broad rallied with an English record eighth-wicket stand of 244.

Trott was 149 not out at the close and passed 1,000 Test runs in the process. Broad was on a career best 125 for his first Test century after the 18-year-old Amir had become the youngest bowler to reach and pass 50 Test wickets.

"They are playing very well, especially Broad because he is not a batsman," Amir said. "Trott is technically very strong and he is very calm. We are now on the back foot after being in a good position."

Pakistan must win to draw the series 2-2.

"It's an amazing feeling and nice to be the first Broad to a Lord's Test century," he said, referring to father and former England opener Chris Broad. "Dad's top score at Lord's was 86, I think.

"In my mind I wanted to play freely because everyone who just tried to hang around got out, but I knew if I got out we could be 110 all out and it would be 2-2."

England were especially indebted to Trott's gritty 302-ball innings, with the South African-born batsman hitting a crucial century in the final Test of the summer for the second straight year.

Trott, who scored a hundred in last year's Ashes-clinching Test against Australia, hit 15 boundaries in a chanceless innings, including a sweetly timed on-driven four off Mohammad Asif to take him to 60.

He and Broad withstood tough batting conditions for most of the day and exploited a brief post-tea period of sunshine when England dashed from 200 to 250 in just 62 deliveries."In the position we were in, Trotty was out there for the whole collapse and saw the ball nipping and that can get into a batsman's head," Broad said. "He batted with such clarity, left the ball well and put away any bad balls."

Broad - AP

Pakistan's Mohammad Amir (centre) celebrates after claiming the wicket of England's Matt Prior during the second day of the fourth cricket Test match at the Lord's cricket ground, London, yesterday. - AP

Trott - AP