Kevin Pietersen became the fifth Englishman to score a double century in Australia as England’s lead ballooned to 306 runs on the third day of the second Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval yesterday.

The number four showman relished his return to the ground where he last hammered a big century to continue England’s relentless accumulation of runs to plunder the home attack.

When rain washed out play after tea England were 551 for four with Pietersen on a majestic 213 and Ian Bell providing solid support on 41.

Skipper Andrew Strauss has a decision to make whether to bat on or declare and send Australia back in with two days left to get a crucial result with the weather threatening to intervene.

Pietersen joined team-mates Alastair Cook and Paul Collingwood, Walter Hammond (3) and Reg Foster as English double-centurions in Australia.

Pietersen dominated the third day as he helped himself to his second Test double-century and was within reach of his highest Test score of 226 against the West Indies in May 2007.