ALASTAIR COOK and Ian Bell were both beset by moments of controversy on their way to the hundreds which put England within sight of Ashes history.

Cook’s 189 took his series tally to 766 – Wally Hammond is the only Englishman to have made more in an Ashes campaign – and Bell’s 115 is his first century against Australia, something he has craved throughout his career.

Their innings put England in control of the final Test at the SCG, on 488 for seven for a lead of 208 with two days to go in a match they need only draw to win the Ashes outright Down Under for the first time in 24 years.

Yet Cook and Bell’s survival, on 99 and 67 respectively when video technology was required to rule on contentious catches, meant claims and denials of cheating unfairly deflected attention from two outstanding performances.

Cook stood his ground when it was unclear whether Phil Hughes had gathered a catch cleanly at short-leg off Michael Beer, and replays satisfied the umpires he was right to do so.

In Bell’s case, he called for DRS evidence after being given out caught behind by Aleem Dar off Shane Watson – a decision which was overturned when “Hotspot” failed to provide compelling evidence of an inside edge.

“Snicko”, acknowledged as a less robust – and slower – scientific simulation, suggested too late that there was an edge after all.

It fell to stand-in Australia captain Michael Clarke to respond at close of play to the suggestion by former England all-rounder Ian Botham, in his guise as a broadcast commentator, that Hughes had cheated by claiming the catch off Cook.

‘‘I can guarantee one thing – Phillip Hughes is not a cheat, that’s for sure,” said Clarke. “He’s a wonderful young guy.

“The end result was spot on.

Hughesy wasn’t sure; wicketkeeper Brad Haddin wasn’t sure; we made it clear to the umpires; the umpires referred the catch, checked it.

“I haven’t seen the replay, but it must have come up clear that the ball bounced – so it was the right result.

“That’s a bit harsh for Ian to say that about Phillip – he’s not that sort of guy.”

Bell followed Cook to his hundred by mid-evening, but his milestone was greeted by Australian boos as well as English cheers in the crowd – an unfortunate reaction, emanating from those convinced he knew he had edged behind an hour earlier.

Clarke was not among them.

“I don’t think Ian Bell is a cheat at all.”

Bell, whose hundred came up during a three-figure stand with Matt Prior (54no), also survived a tough caught-andbowled chance put down by Steve Smith on 84.

His 232-ball innings, ended by an edge to slip off Mitchell Johnson (three for 97), was a mere cameo compared with the 488-minute stay which took Cook’s occupation of the crease to more than 36 hours in this series.

For Cook, who started the winter under pressure and with single-figure scores in his first two attempts against Western Australia, a firstclass tally of more than 1,000 runs since then is astounding.

“I could only have dreamt about it six or seven weeks ago, especially after that first warm-up game,” said the opener.

■ England’s women endured a losing start to their one-day series against Australia with defeat at the washed-out WACA yesterday.

The tourists were beaten by 33 runs via the Duckworth- Lewis method after rain brought about an early finish.

After winning the toss and batting in the rain-delayed clash, Australia managed 194 for seven in the reduced 44-over contest. England laboured in response before falling victim to the weather on 151 for nine, giving Australia victory by 33 runs.

Scoreboard

Australia v England At Sydney

Overnight: Australia 280 (M G Johnson 53; J M Anderson 4-66). England167-3 (A N Cook 61 no, A J Strauss 60).

England First Innings Close

A N Cook c Hussey b Watson ............189

J M Anderson b Siddle .........................7

P D Collingwood c Hilfenhaus b Beer ..13

I R Bell c Clarke b Johnson ................115

M J Prior not out ............................54

T T Bresnan not out .............................0

Extras (b3 lb2 w5 nb4 pens 0) ...14

Total 7 wkts (141 overs) ............488

Fall: 1-98 2-99 3-165 4-181 5-226 6-380 7-487

To Bat: G P Swann, C T Tremlett.

Bowling: Hilfenhaus 29-5-104-1. Johnson 26-3-97-3. Siddle 26-5-98-1. Watson 20-7- 49-1. Beer 29-2-85-1. Smith 10-0-48-0.

Hussey 1-0-2-0.