Injured Anderson likely to pull out from Ashes series

Bowling 33 overs without success in England’s second test defeat by Australia at Lord’s knocked the confidence of paceman James Anderson who returned to form with a bang yesterday.

“Obviously in any position you feel like you can win a Test match“, said Warner.

The Australians had precious little to celebrate, although fast bowler Mitchell Johnson did get his name into the record books.

“Throughout the day there was probably a high percentage of poor shots rather than good balls that got wickets”. “The bowlers set the tone on day one, it’s been a great week for us but there’s a lot of hard work for next week as well”.

England’s Steven Finn, right, is congratulated by team mates after bowling Australia’s Mitchell Marsh for six runs during day two of the third Ashes Test cricket match, at Edgbaston, Birmingham, England, Thursday, July 30, 2015.

Finn moved into overdrive after tea, with two wickets in two balls, as the prospect of a home victory inside two days became ever more realistic.

Australia have added 97 runs to their overnight score in the third Ashes Test, setting England a target of 121 to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

Boycott said Australia captain Michael Clarke is “under the cosh” and “lucky to be averaging 18”.

A hostile Johnson had begun the second morning on fire, removing Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes in his first over to pass 300 test wickets.

Conditions favoured the bowlers from the outset here, prodigious movement available via seam and swing – and with batsmen refusing to tolerate the concept of mere survival, hectic pace took hold.

“I think it’s going to be tough throughout the whole game”, he said.

In reply Alastair Cook and Adam Lyth survived two overs to go in 4-0, leaving 117 more runs to get if they are to go 2-1 up in the series.

However, Ali broke the shackles by cover-driving Starc for four.

It appeared to get to the left-arm quick, who aborted his run-up for one delivery and then bowled from well behind the crease before he was taken off.

This was Australia’s worst first day since they slumped to 98 all out and then saw England make 157 without loss before stumps in the 2010 Boxing Day Test at Melbourne.

It completed a freakish sequence for Nathan Lyon (three for 36), who was taking a wicket – as he had twice the previous evening – in his first over, the others each having come in separate minimum spells.