England are on the brink of victory against Australia before Day 3 at Edgbaston. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8:00pm AEST.
The result hasn’t even been finalised, but already the rhetoric from this Test match will focus on two lamentable Australian batting displays. As such, only a session may do for England to head to Nottingham next week with a 2-1 advantage.
For a team that dared talk big on match eve about the momentum from their Lord’s win and made comment about England’s preparation, the likely defeat will contain fairly strong schadenfreude – it was only in Cardiff that Australia’s batting failed to fire, and once again when the English bowlers have made the ball talk – the Australian batting has faltered, not once, but twice.
It is a truly pathetic position, especially given the history on this ground for sides chasing fourth innings totals. Only seven times has 200 been exceeded at Edgbaston in the final innings, and as such, bowling England for 281 yesterday still represented hope for Australia. As such, some fine bowling from Steven Finn and poor defensive technique has put paid to any likelihood of an Australian riposte.
Peter Nevill remains the last skerrick of hope for the tourists, unbeaten on 37, and with Mitchell Starc in aid. With a lead of 23, another 100 runs is required at minimum to give the Australian bowlers a target to work with. While Finn has been finely rewarded in his comeback game with seven wickets, the concerns about James Anderson’s fitness will be a sour point should his apparent side strain rule him out of contention in Nottingham.
Depending on the willingness to survive of Australia’s lower order, England can have this Test wrapped up in the morning. Alastair Cook must persist with the tactics that have served his side so well this Test, while Michael Clarke must hope his tail-end can show the fight his batting lineup, himself included, have so lamentably lacked.
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RF
Guest
On 9 it's like Australia play themselves in the Ashes. Where only they win the game or lose it. England seems like an inconvenience to mention
JimmyB
Guest
All valid points mate, particularly about England backing up (without Anderson.)
Scott Pryde
Expert
I have been muting Nine and listening through the White Line Wireless commentary (formerly known as Roar Radio). Good stuff.
Grand Armee
Guest
PS so glad I watched the game through Sky. Not only as I am an England fan, but the commentators on Sky actually talk about the game, disguise their bias (except Botham) and don't state the bleeding obvious or play the role of a character, like on nine. Particularly Atherton, Hussain and Holding. They are a league above other commentators. I am even impressed by Ponting. While rating him as one of the greatest ever, I was always critical of his captaincy, but he actually understands the game a lot more than I thought.
Grand Armee
Guest
Thanks Vas. Great summary, and great commentary throughout.
SM
Guest
Well done again, Vas. Dreadful by Nein yet again.
Grand Armee
Guest
Well, as an England fan, I am delighted about the win, but all year, it seems as if we have backed up wins with shockers, so Ill enjoy this win for the rest of the night, and tomorrow, turn my attention and extreme nerves to Trent Bridge. Jimmy Anderson is a huge loss for us going into Trent Bridge, but if there is one positive out of his absence, the players might go into it the next game as cocky. Without Jimmy, we might be prepared to work hard instead of thinking another win will come because we won the prior test. In addition, Bayliss only needs to remind the dressing room about Lords and other recent performances backing up. I hope this test has played Bell and Finn into some form, and while not yet back to his best, Stuart Broad is starting to get some of his confidence back with the bat. He was a handy tail end batsmen until Johnson bounced him in Australia, and then Arun broke his nose in England last year. England's batting line-up is hardly convincing (and like Australia, exposed with scoreboard pressure), but Ali and Broad can be a real nightmare for Australia if they keep this up at the lower order. About time we returned the favour after Haddin and Johnson kept demoralising us last Ashes when we looked close to stealing momentum (and they would wag). Michael Clarke looks nothing like his self, but I just have a feeling that as captain and a future hall of famer, he will find something. Australia aren't going to let us take this urn without a fight. Ideally, I hope we get off to an ideal start at Trent Bridge and run away with it.
JimmyB
Guest
Creating another Marsh brother in his lab. Igor should be ready for the Oval test match.
RF
Guest
Thank god! Couldn't stand Mark Taylor's drivel any longer. Like the Australian batting line up, the channel 9 commentary team needs a reshuffle. I think half the blokes on there are going senile
Andy
Guest
thanks Vas for doing this. not alot of us here understandably.
JimmyB
Guest
Cheers Vas.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Will stick around for post-game comments in case GEM brings it to us. Nope is the answer. We'll be back on Thursday for the start of the Fourth Test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. The washup from Edgbaston though is that Australia (136 and 265) lost to England (281 and 2/121) by 8 wickets. Good morning!
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Here's the scorecard: England Lyth - 12 Cook - 7 Bell - 65* Root - 38* Extras - 2 TOTAL: 2 for 121 (32.1) Australia Starc 1/33 (6) Hazlewood 1/21 (7) Lyon 0/52 (11) Johnson 0/10 (7) Marsh 0/8 (1.1)
DaniE
Roar Guru
Sigh
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
AND THERE IT IS! Marsh goes on the legs, and Root flicks him through the onside for four! England beat Australia by 8 wickets, and lead 2-1 to the jovial cheers of everyone inside Edgbaston! ENG 2/121 (32.1) Bell 65* Root 38* Marsh 0/8 (1.1)
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Root charges down and can't beat mid-on, but takes on the throw for one and wins! One remaining - scores level. ENG 2/120 (32) (Target: 121) Bell 65 Root 34 Lyon 0/52 (11)
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Sweeps, and Root finds the gap! Four more, and two to win! ENG 2/119
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Bell plays down the short ball from Lyon, beating batpad for one. ENG 2/115
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Marsh finally goes wide, and Root obliges with a cut past point for four! Seven to win! ENG 2/114 (31) (Target: 121) Bell 64 Root 29 Marsh 0/4 (1)
DaniE
Roar Guru
Love the parade lolloping along