Worcestershire’s Moeen Ali hits sparkling half-century for England in third

The Middlesex paceman had been in the wilderness, so far as Test duty had been concerned, after being dropped following an off-target spell in the 2013 Ashes series opener at Trent Bridge.

“There was a sniff at one stage but they played well in the middle of the innings“.

“But having a week away has done us a bit of good, I think”.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) subsequently released a statement via Twitter saying Anderson had a “tight side” and would be “assessed overnight”.

“But pulling up halfway through an over, for someone like Jimmy, he wouldn’t stop like that if it wasn’t hurting”.

“Historically England do bounce back after a heavy defeat but the Australian’s will want to do the same in the next Test”.

“Unless we get those three wickets tomorrow and knock off the runs we’ll look pretty silly talking about it now”, Finn said.

Australia, bidding to win their first Ashes series in Britain in 14 years, will resume Friday with wicket-keeper Peter Nevill 37 not out and Mitchell Starc seven not out.

England bowler Steve Finn celebrates a wicket 2015.

Warner had survived one scare before he faced a ball in the first over of the match, diving into his ground to beat Stuart Broad’s direct hit from mid on.

“He’s obviously had a tough 18 months and he’s worked so hard to get back in the Test side”, Anderson said on Sky Sports Ashes.

Nasser Hussain says Australia captain Michael Clarke had a day to forget as England took charge of the third Investec Ashes Test at Edgbaston.

A fiery Finn took five wickets on Thursday to leave England close to victory in the third test, letting Australia’s batsman know in no uncertain terms that he had fully exorcised the demons that blighted his career.

Finn moved into overdrive after tea, his two-in-two beginning with a fine catch by Adam Lyth at fourth slip to consign Michael Clarke to another low score.

But he was near unplayable at times on Thursday as he dismissed both Steven Smith and struggling Clarke for the second time in the match.

Buttler was out for a nervous nine as England crashed to 7-190 and Nathan Lyon made it three wickets from three overs.

The pair added quick runs after lunch, Moeen again showing how valuable he is coming in at number eight.

But after Broad (31) skied Josh Hazlewood to mid-on, Moeen quickly followed and the innings ended tamely.

Mitchell Johnson, and Australia, started the day brilliantly with an awesome over of bowling which saw off Jonny Bairstow (5) and Ben Stokes (0) thanks to some fearsome short-stuff.

Johnson steamed in and directed a bouncer that was homing in on Bairstow’s throat, the startled batsman fending it off with glove to be caught behind.

Two balls later Stokes also got a taste of “chin-music”, unable to get out of the way of another thunderbolt and falling in the same fashion.

Joe Root’s 63 and Ali’s 59 ensured the hosts remained in the box seat to go 2-1 up in the five-Test series after skittling the tourists for 136 on day one.