The Ashes: 3rd Test update

So, the third day has been completely washed out with England 116/2 following the dramatic Australia collapse yesterday.  Before the match, many England fans would have been secretly happy at the prospect of little play in this match, but it might rob them of the opportunity to deliver a knockout blow.

Having gained the momentum at Lord’s, the expectation was of an Aussie fightback at Edgbaston.  It has yet to materialise despite Shane Watson giving them a good start on Thursday.  Give clear weather for the remainder of this match, England would have fancied winning the match and going 2-0 ahead with two Tests remaining, provided they could turn the current advantage into a substantial 1st innings lead.  Now that there are just two days remaining that is unlikely, although a win is not impossible.

England’s bowling on the 2nd morning was excellent, and Graham Onions 4/58 should put an end to all the nonsense about his performances against “just the West Indies”.  Two wickets with the first two balls of the day set the tone and changed the course of this match.  Jimmy Anderson continued the good start with some fine swing bowling, even if he was fortunate with the Clarke and Johnson decisions.