Mitchell Johnson still senses victory in third Ashes Test

Nevill’s maiden Test 50, in just his second innings, occupied 126 balls and kept England waiting longest before Australia were bowled out for 265 just before lunch on day three of the third Investec Test.

His record at The Oval is less stellar – 35 wickets at 33 – but his loss would be a huge boon for the Australians, who this afternoon were fighting to cling on in the third Test at Edgbaston.

But come Friday, Anderson had been ruled out of both the remainder of this match and next week’s fourth Test at Trent Bridge with a side strain suffered while bowling on Thursday.

Starc eventually succumbed, driving Mooen Ali to point and England were left a challenging 121 to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

As England neared victory, there was mass barracking of Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, repeatedly taunted with a derogatory song regarding his accuracy that became commonplace during England’s 2010/11 Ashes series win “Down Under”.

David Warner’s belligerent 56 not out, made off 37 deliveries, gave the touring side hope while captain Michael Clarke, desperately searching for form, was unbeaten on two at the interval.

However, next over Johnson got Australia right back into the match with two wickets for no runs in three balls.

Finn, the tall Middlesex pacer playing his first Test since 2013, had figures of 5 for 45 in 13 overs following his 2 for 38 in Australia’s meagre first-innings total of 136.

Nevill and Starc shared a stand of 64 runs on Friday.

The wagging tail could be interpreted as a portent of how England might struggle in the fourth Test without Jimmy Anderson and/or another damning indictment of Australia’s batsmen. Broad came round the wicket to Chris Rogers and pinned him infront for the host’s first breakthrough of the second innings. As was the case in the first innings, one of the openers looked decidedly untroubled as his team-mates perished around them. “I used to put myself under a huge amount of pressure when I went out there and played”, Finn said.

Australia added a potentially crucial 21 more runs before Nevill finally perished for 59, again flicking down the leg side.

Next ball Adam Voges edged Finn to second slip Ian Bell for a duck.

Warner attacked but, trying to turn Anderson legside, the left-hander ballooned a catch to Lyth in the covers to end a 49-ball innings, including 10 fours. However, despite averaging more than 100 for county champions Yorkshire this season, Bairstow exited for just five as he gloved a brute of a rising ball from Johnson to wicketkeeper Peter Nevill.