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Sydney: Alastair Cook (189) and Ian Bell (115) put England in firm control of the SCG Test against Australia, as the visitors ended Day 3 at 488 for 7, a lead of 208 runs. Matt Prior was 54 not out. Tim Bresnan (0) other batsman on crease with Prior.
Bell's maiden century against Australia was not without controversy, with the 28-year-old successfully challenging a caught behind decision on 67.
The classical right hander was initially given out by umpire Aleem Dar after he appeared to feather a Shane Watson (1-49) delivery to Brad Haddin.
Hot spot failed to detect the faint inside edge leading Dar to overturn his initial decision.
But Snicko later confirmed Bell had hit the ball, further adding to the home side's frustrations.
Bell received another life on 84 when leg-spinner Steve Smith (0-48) grassed the sharpest of chances off his own bowling. He made the most of his good fortune, reaching triple figures with a two past point off Smith midway through the final session.
The reliable number six, who was booed by some sections of the 40,300 crowd, leapt in the air and kissed his helmet before saluting the England dressing room.
There was no disputing Bell's demise when he edged a Mitchell Johnson (3-97) delivery to Michael Clarke at first slip.
His dismissal ended a damaging 107-run union with Prior.
Cook was the first man to fall in the final session when he chased a wide delivery from Watson and was well caught by a diving Mike Hussey in the gully.
The left-hander, who was caught off a no-ball from Michael Beer (1-85) on 46 late on day two, made Australia pay full freight for their error.
Cook's third century of the summer consisted of 16 boundaries, taking his series total to an imposing 766 runs at an average of 127.
It is the second highest aggregate by an English batsman in an Ashes series behind the late Wally Hammond who scored 905 in 1928/29.
The visitors moved past Australia's first innings mark of 280 when Bell dispatched Ben Hilfenhaus (1-104) to the square leg boundary in the second over after lunch.
It was the beginning of a dominant session for England as Cook and Bell added 101 run without loss before tea.
Brief scores
Australia 280
England 488 for 7 (Cook 189, Bell 115, Johnson 3-97)
Status England lead by 208 runs
