Win at Edgbaston and Ashes in sight for England – John Lever

James Anderson, England’s all-time most successful Test bowler but wicketless at Lord’s, led the way with an Ashes-best six for 47 in a first innings that lasted a mere 36.4 overs.

The development has echoes of the injury suffered by Australian bowler Glenn McGrath, who hurt his ankle in warm-up of the Edgbaston Test during the 2005 series in England.

Australia held on to force the third Ashes test into a third day, limping to stumps at 168-7 in the second innings for a 23-run lead on Thursday. The tourists smashed 19 in the first two overs, and 39 in six – possibly sowing some doubt among England’s batsmen after Mitchell Johnson’s hostile short-pitched performance in the first innings.

Steven Finn took his fifth career five-wicket haul as England moved towards the brink of victory on an eventful second day at Edgbaston.

Joe Root kept his cool to compile 63 but fell chasing a wide delivery from Mitchell Starc.

Moeen Ali was 23 not out and Stuart Broad 10 not out at lunch, with the five-match series all square at 1-1.

Finn eventually made the breakthrough when Nevill was caught down the leg side, the paceman taking a test best 6-79 after a two-year absence from the side.

“We’ve got to stop this rot, it’s not looking promising for us at the moment but at one stage it looked like we might get bowled out and not take it to a second innings for them”.

“Mitchell Marsh has pretty much proved himself in the (Adam) Lyth category – not a Test cricket player”, MacGill said on the Fox Cricket Podcast.

Finn’s heroics marked a drastic transformation from his plight the last time England played Australia during the 2013-14 Ashes, when he was sent home early from the tour having been deemed “not selectable”.

Prior to Ali’s spirited effort, Johnson had given Australia a foothold in the match with two wickets – including his 300th in Tests – for no runs in three balls during his first over on Thursday after England had resumed on their overnight 133 for three.

Johnson came on next and was turned away neatly by Root for four off his first ball that boundary may not have been wise as England was reduced to 142-5 with two quick wickets from Johnson. England might be one bowler down as well.