No need to chop and change, Aussies can win Ashes: Khawaja

Ian Bell made his second half-century of the match and born again paceman Steven Finn was named man-of-the-match as England yesterday made up for their 405 rounds hammering last time out at Lord’s by crushing the Aussies by eight wickets to go 2-1 up in front of a deafening Edgbaston crowd.

Clarke averages just 18.80 this series and has a top score of 38 in his last 10 innings against England, leading to serious questions over his future.

Bell, promoted to No. 3 for the test, finished 65 not out Friday, with Joe Root undefeated on 38.

“I don’t think I’ll be facing him much, so I’m more interested in the battle with the seamers they’ve brought across and Nathan Lyon”, he said.

“The captain is due to get off the plane, that’s the plan for the next test match”, he told reporters.

“At the moment that’s how it feels”. “As a batter your primary reason is to score runs”, said Cook.

“I am 100 per cent confident”. If I do the hard work, that gives me the self-belief I can perform.

And given the best way fortunes have swung over the primary three matches on this collection, it might not be a serious shock to see Clarke notching his twenty ninth check century to lead his aspect to a thumping victory. “I will prepare hard and keep the faith it will happen in the middle”. England wobbling slightly but Root coming to the crease. But Clarke was far from the only Australian to fall short.

Anderson, who took six for 47 in Australia’s first innings as the tourists were skittled for 136 on the first day, aborted his run and walked straight off the pitch in the evening session on Thursday.

Australia captain Michael Clarke credited England’s bowling as his side were beaten by eight wickets at Edgbaston. One option could be to drop himself down to No5, where he averages double the 30.89 runs per innings he does in his current position but a shift could depend on whether Adam Voges, a 35-year-old enduring a poor series himself, is retained. Clarke has the experience and pedigree to lead his side through the remainder of the series, after which Steve Smith could well take over. It would be the easy decision to take and Shaun Marsh is likely going to be the batsman to come in.

Mitchell Starc’s knock of 58 in the second dig helped him draw level with teammate Shane Watson in ninth spot on the Test allrounder charts.

[REACTION: Anderson injury a blow but England eye glory – Cook]. I think the selectors have a meeting tomorrow to discuss replacements. It’s their home conditions – they are used to doing well here. “I know there’s been a big hoo-ha about “family first” – well, we still have that”.

[RELATED: England struck by James Anderson injury scare].

The 33-year-old suffered a side strain during the second innings and was forced to leave the field hurt. “Obviously the challenge is to play as well two games in a row”, he said. He sets the tone with everything he does.

But Cook, understandably would rather England headed to south London 3-1 up – and believes they can do even in the absence of injured fast bowler James Anderson.

“This was up there with the loudest I can remember”, Cook offered.