England win third Test against Australia, lead Ashes 2

Middlesex fast bowler Steven Finn, in his first Test in two years, followed up in the second innings with a Test-best six for 79.

England registered a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Australia at Edgbaston, Birmingham in the third Test to take an unassailable 2-1 lead in the Ashes 2015.

England, set a modest victory target of 121, finished on 124 for two shortly before tea on Friday’s third day.

Josh Hazlewood joined Starc at the crease and set about collecting runs in a similar manner, though he was gone for 11, thanks to a sizzling Joe Root slips catch, shortly after his partner had notched an impressive half-century from 83 balls.

Clarke likened the impact of his injury to the freak pre-match accident which ruled Australia spearhead Glenn McGrath out of the 2005 Ashes Test at Edgbaston – a match England eventually won by just two runs.

Australian captain Michael Clarke, meanwhile, admitted he needed to contribute to a series in which he has managed only 94 runs at 18.

The Yorkshireman had better luck with a full, wide delivery that he flashed through cover for four – taking England into a first-innings lead at 11.02am on day two.

And they will have to win in Nottingham without pace ace Jimmy Anderson who will definitely miss his first Test since the summer of 2012 after suffering a side strain on Thursday. “My self-belief is still there, and that’s because I continue to work as hard as I have throughout my career”.

England saw Cook and fellow left-handed opener Adam Lyth fall cheaply in their run chase on Friday.

While Clarke’s captaincy was in debate, his poor run with the bat was extended ” 10 and 3 here, 7 and 32 not out at Lord’s.

England had hoped to quickly take the three remaining second innings wickets but a late-order flurry pushed Australia’s lead to 120 before Moeen Ali removed Mitchell Starc 15 minutes before lunch with Australia dismissed for 265. Australia, whose batsmen have been in majestic form over the last 12 months, are sure to make it tough to bounce back for England following their recent intimidating defeat at Lords.

The Trent Bridge Test pitch has been disappointing in the last couple of years, including 2013, where Anderson had to summon something so deep within him to force a result that he had little left for the rest of the series.

“But as I have said all along it is an opportunity for someone to come in and do something special”. I was invited to send some outswingers down, with a view to playing the whole season in 2004.

Australia started the day on 168 for seven.

Looking at possible Anderson replacements, Mark Wood would be the obvious candidate if he can regain fitness, while if England want to go like-for-like with another swing bowler, they may look towards a return for Chris Woakes, or a maiden call-up for county sensation Chris Rushworth.

England in pursue of the target have so far scored 55/2 requiring just 66 more runs to win which seems very much possible if nothing dramatic happens.

“I’m not going to play the next game unfortunately, but hopefully I’ll be back for the Oval”, he told Sky Sports Ashes.