England’s Anderson to be assessed over “tight side”

Finn then made it two in two balls by taking the wicket of Adam Voges to leave the home fans delirious.

But whereas that clash had taken place on a largely placid pitch, the course of this Test owed much to Australia captain Michael Clarke’s decision to bat first on a seaming surface offering sideways movement.

England could now recall Durham fast bowler Mark Wood, who took part in the first two Ashes Tests but was ruled out with ankle trouble and replaced by Finn at Edgbaston, into their squad for the fourth Test.

The Middlesex fast bowler told Sky Sports: “We knew there was a lot of hard work to do and to get that lead and put that pressure on them as a group of bowlers was fantastic”. “There were obviously some personal milestones that were nice to get over, and to pull a Test shirt back on has been great fun”.

England Cricket Board later confirmed through their Twitter handle about Anderson’s side injury.

With Australia staring defeat in the face, Johnson admitted: “It’s not ideal, it’s not something we’re happy about”.

“I spoke to him after he bowled a ball and he said: ‘I think I’ve gone in the side here.'”. Mitchell Starc was unbeaten on seven.

In short England should be looking to wrap up this match by lunch tomorrow as they seem to be feasting on a suddenly shaky Australian batting line up.

Clarke’s close friend and confidant Shane Warne said it would be ridiculous to even consider dropping the skipper and believes he is just one innings away from getting back in the runs.

England cruised into a 2-1 Ashes lead with an eight-wicket win before tea on day three at Edgbaston. “It is disappointing how today finished but look we are still in the game and we are always going to be hopeful”.

England did lose Adam Lyth, whose unconvincing form will be a worry to go with Anderson’s unavailability on the road to Nottingham.

England, after losing the toss, had bowled Australia out inside 37 overs on Wednesday, with James Anderson taking an Ashes-best six for 47.

Ali scored 59 and Broad added 31 as England made 281 in their first innings.

Johnson struck fear into the England middle order with two wickets from searing, accurate bouncers in the second over of the day, and Lyon continued his happy knack of striking in the first over of a spell.

James Anderson had Australia in a soup on Day 1.

The end of an eighth-wicket stand of 64 was a relief for England, but Starc (58) was intent on making them sweat a little more and completed his 50 too with a swat over long-on for six off Moeen Ali.