Ian Bell struck his 15th Test century and then was given run-out in one of the most bizarre manner only to be brought back by Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni as England comfortable 188 run lead against India at tea on the third day of the second Test at Trent Bridge.
England reached 254 for three at tea as Bell as the third umpire's decision was overturned during the tea-break.
But more than Bell's century, it was his dismissal off the last ball before tea which was the talking point.
Morgan flicked the last delivery of Ishant Sharma to deep square where Praveen Kumar cut out a four. The fielder, who lost sight of the ball, believed it was four and so did the two batsmen who had completed the third run but then stood outside their crease, believing it to be already tea.
Indians removed the bails as the throw came in and appealed for a run-out. After a prolonged wait, umpires ruled in India's favour and Bell was given run-out.
The right-hander batted for 282 minutes and faced 187 balls and hit 22 fours. Bell played a commanding knock and shared a vital 162-run third wicket stand with Pietersen which has laid the base for England's strong reply.
Bell, unbeaten on 84 at lunch, completed his century with a couple to fine leg off Ishant Sharma and his statistics of 200 minutes and 129 balls with 17 fours tell the story of a batsman in complete control.
Pietersen though it was who set the pace of the afternoon session with some thumping shots around the park. The tall right-hander first slammed Ishant Sharma down the ground and then pulled the same bowler for emphatic boundaries.
He also cover drove Praveen Kumar and swept Harbhajan Singh to raise his half century off 98 balls with six fours.Bell didn't take long to get into the swing of things.
After stroking Praveen Kumar past point, he cover drove the same bowler for a boundary. A steer off Sreesanth went dangerously past point but there was no such fidgetiness when he steered Sreesanth and flicked Sharma for boundaries.
So productive was the first hour for England that 78 runs accrued to their total. England lost Pietersen in the second hour when he edged Sreesanth behind the stumps.
In all he batted for 120 balls and 160 minutes and hit seven fours in an unimpressive yet extremely important innings for England.
The third wicket stand of 162 runs came off 219 balls.
Eoin Morgan, a failure in the series so far, looked a far compact bet in this innings, and has hit two fours in his knock of 21 runs.
