Live Commentary: The Ashes - Third Test, Day Three - as it happened

Good morning everyone. If day one was exciting for England fans, the second day's play at Edgbaston was a thriller. After making 281 in their first innings, Steven Finn took 5-45 with the ball to reduce Australia to 168-7. The tourists will begin the day just 23 runs ahead. Is there any hope for Australia?

It's been a fantastic performance from Alastair Cook's side over the first two days, but he'll be warning his players against complacency today. Funny things happen in Ashes cricket, and Peter Nevill and Mitchell Starc are capable of putting on a big partnership. England can't afford to be sloppy. They'll be desperate for an early breakthrough.

It's not all been good news for England and they've been dealt a huge blow this morning. James Anderson was forced off the field with a side problem in the final session yesterday and it has just been confirmed that he will miss the next Test match at Trent Bridge. If it's a tear in his side it would be a huge surprise if he manages to return for the final match at The Oval. England could be 2-1 up soon, but the loss of Anderson might be a key moment in this series.

Someone will have to stand up to fill the void left by Anderson at Trent Bridge, where England's leading wicket taker has a fantastic record. Finn has shown he is back to his best in this match, while Stuart Broad has been impressive in the series. Will Mark Wood return? Or will the selectors turn to the County Championship to bring in someone like Chris Rushworth or Mark Footitt?

© Getty Images

The England players can't think about that today. They need to be alert from ball one to keep the pressure on. Nevill and Starc can't be given any freebies. England must set the tone immediately.

So, Australia start the day effectively 23-7. Of course they're huge underdogs, but with Mitchell Johnson and his fellow bowlers capable of producing fireworks with the ball, Michael Clarke may feel this match isn't over just yet. It will all depend on how quickly England get the final three wickets. Australia might feel that they can make it a nervy finish for the hosts if they can earn a lead close to 150.

Michael Clarke passing on some advice to Mitchell Starc before the left-hander resumes on seven #Ashes pic.twitter.com/bwZo3t8KVw — cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) July 31, 2015

Peter Nevill averaged 76 in the Sheffield Shield in the winter, Mitchell Starc has a high score of 99 in Test cricket, while Josh Hazlewood has proved he can score runs at a decent rate. Oh, and England barely caused Nathan Lyon a problem in the 2013/14 series. Aussie fans, don't give up hope yet.

Earlier on, the always confident David Warner, who scored a brilliant 77 yesterday, told Sky Sports: "We need to come out with positive intent and try to score. We have Nevill out there and we know what Starc is capable of. We are hopeful. Anything over 100 gives us an opportunity with our bowlers."

Here we go then. The players are on their way out behind the umpires. Australia start the day on 168-7 with Nevill and Starc at the crease.

Broad, who has 1-36 from his 14 overs, will start with the ball. Nevill on strike. Play!

Nevill leaves the first ball of the day outside off-stump, before earning four through third-man with a thick edge and picking up two more off the next delivery. The first groan of the day comes from the England fans when the ball drops short of Bell at second slip after Broad catches the edge. Nevill collects eight from the over. Nevill 45 (123) Starc 7* (29)

It's no surprise to see Finn with the ball in hand. He claimed figures of 5-45 from 13 overs yesterday. Can he produce more magic?

Starc is certainly no amateur with the bat, and he gets his first runs of the day with a push down the ground for three as Finn starts round the wicket to the left-hander. Close! England's patience will be tested. Nevill is caught in two minds as Finn sticks to a great line, but he survive. The ball strikes the inside edge as he leaves and it comes agonisingly close to the stumps. Four to fine-leg off the final ball hands Nevill his maiden 50 in Test cricket. It's been a good effort so far, but he needs to stay out there for a lot longer.

Moeen Ali is very wide at mid-on, but he should stop a firm shot from Starc, who collects four for his trouble. As you can imagine, Broad isn't very pleased with his teammate. The first three overs have already suggested that it won't be a straightforward day for England. Five from the over. Nevill 53 Starc 15*

Finn is standing in the middle with both hands on head. It's a genuine edge from Starc, who breathes a huge sigh of relief when the ball sails through the gap between third slip and gully. Cook responds by moving Adam Lyth to a fourth slip, which was the tactic he used for most of yesterday. Finn produces a beauty to beat the outside edge with one that bounces sharply off a length, before beating Starc once again.

Superb work from Jos Buttler to take the ball at full stretch down the leg-side. England appeal for the catch, but there's no movement from batsman or umpire. Replays suggest that there may have been a touch on the glove. England used up their two reviews yesterday. It's a tough one for the umpire to see. Disappointment for England. Maiden.

Good timing on show from Finn once again as he drives through the covers for four. He picks up three more through the same area to bring up the 50 partnership. Nevill then frustrates Finn even more by slicing through the vacant gully region to collect four after Cook had switched to four slips in the previous over. Australia lead by 62.

After catching the glove in the previous over, Broad feels there is a weakness in Nevill's game when he targets the ribs with the short ball. Nevill does look uncomfortable prodding another ball into the leg-side, but Broad probably needs a short-leg in place to use that tactic correctly. The Australians have started very well.

Finn turns to ask the question when he brings one back slightly, but it hits Starc too high to be given lbw. Australia's number nine doesn't look completely comfortable against the short ball in the over and England might be wise to use it a bit more often as Cook watches Starc earn four more through cover. Finn responds well to beat the edge. Another close call for England.

The situation has changed slightly in the opening 35 minutes. Cook has switched to just two slips for Nevill, who avoids the newly placed short-leg to pick up a single. Broad pulls his length back to Starc, but he manages to flick a run over the fielder at short-leg. One more for Nevill hands the strike to Starc, whose leading edge earns him two on the off-side.

Breakthrough for England! Nevill's brave innings (59 off 147) comes to an end as Buttler takes another excellent catch down the leg-side and gets the decision. A review follows, but Hotspot shows it did flick the bat on the way through. Finn has a sixth wicket, and there's relief at Edgbaston.

Hazlewood is off the mark immediately with a single on the off-side. It's two runs a and a wicket from he Finn over. A second look at the Buttler catch shows just how brilliant an effort it was from the wicketkeeper. One-handed, down the leg-side at full stretch. He'll have a picture of it up in his bedroom within a week!

Hazlewood starts this innings with an average of 42 in Test cricket. It's hard to work out why when he refuses to use his feet while swinging aimlessly at one outside off-stump early in the over, but he does seem to hang around with the bat. A fuller delivery brings a push down the ground for three, before Starc picks up a single behind square on the leg-side. Hazlewood finishes the over with two more past mid-off.

Starc opens the face of the bat to steer a single to deep point, but England won't mind seeing him get off strike. Hazlewood easily gets out of the way when Finn pulls his length back to deliver the bouncer. I just wonder whether Cook might throw the ball to Ali. Tail-enders can get in a bit of trouble trying to be clever against the spinner.

Great minds and all that, Cook decides to bring Ali into the attack to bowl to the two left-handers. Starc doesn't look to sure as he twice misses out while playing across the line, with only a thin inside edge saving him from lbw the second time. Decent start from England's spinner. Maiden.

Hazlewood is more than happy to get off strike with a single at the start of Finn's new over. Apart from the odd play and miss, Starc has looked pretty comfortable against the seamers. He's played very well in this innings. Starc 36 (72) Hazlewood 7* (11)

Hazlewood is solid in defence, before rocking back to get a thick on a cut. Four runs through third-man are a big bonus at this stage, and he settles with just the boundary from the Ali over. The lead is 85.

6 - This is the first time two @englandcricket bowlers have taken 6 wickets in same Test match at Edgbaston. Duo. — OptaJim (@OptaJim) July 31, 2015

Joe Root takes the ball as Cook goes with spin at both ends. Starc looks slightly uncomfortable in attack early in the over, but his confidence is clear when he launches the ball down the ground for four runs. A thick edge then beat short-leg and Hazlewood responds well to complete a quick single.

Great timing from Starc. Ali just hasn't got it right in the innings, and he's arguably a touch too quick again as Starc lofts four more over mid-off. The spinner does go slower later in the over, but he's left frustrated once again as Starc launches six more down the ground. That brings up his 5th 50 in Test cricket. It's arrived in 83 balls. He deserves a lot of credit for this knock.

The change works for Cook as Root strikes with his second ball. It's Root who takes centre stage though as he sticks out his right hand to take a stunning catch to his right at third slip. You won't see many better catches than that this summer. Superb work! Nathan Lyon is on the way.

Every Englishman at Edgbaston joins in with the appeal when Stokes hits Lyon's pad first ball, but Aleem Dar shakes his head. It would have been umpire's call on impact with pad and stumps, so it's a fair decision. Another appeal follows, as does another shake of the head. Too high? The technology would have sided with Stokes had there been a review remaining. Wicket maiden.

Cook sends mid-on and mid-off back, but that doesn't concern Starc, who misses with a huge swing at one that bounces and strikes Buttler on the grille of his helmet. Three singles are followed by a fine shot as Lyon drops to one knee to sweep in front of square for four.

Shot! Lyon plays and misses at the start of the over, but he shows good timing to collect four with a fine drive through the covers. He's a decent player for a number 11, there's no doubt about it. The lead is 112. Starc 54* Lyon 9

You would expect these two to make a mistake against the slower bowler at some stage, but Ali has struggled to hit the right spots on a consistent basis. Starc suggests an error is on the way with a slog across the line which results in an inside edge for no run. Five more added to the total from the over.

Stokes is just a touch too straight throughout the over and he gives away a leg-bye when he strikes Starc with a full-toss. England desperately want to wrap up this innings before lunch. 25 minutes left in the session.

It's a better over from Ali. Starc is almost gone when he attempts another huge heave across the line, with Buttler being struck on the chest this time. Just one off the over.

Finn is back into the attack for a new spell. Starc couldn't time a drive better, but Ali does brilliantly at mid-off to stop what looks to be a certain boundary. There's a gasp when the ball drops short of Bairstow, who has the helmet on close to a relieved Lyon.

The Australian innings finally comes to an end. It's been frustrating for much of the morning for England, but Starc's fine knock comes to an end when he lofts Ali straight to the substitute fielder at cover. Finn leads the team off after figures of 6-79.

David Warner claimed that a lead above 100 would keep Australia in the match. England need 121 runs to win the third Test. Is there more drama to come?

England are in complete control of this Test match, but there's still quite a few runs to get and Australia could gain the momentum with a couple of early wickets. It's going to take something special from the tourists.

Australia might not win this match, but the bowlers should be thinking about taking a few wickets with them to Trent Bridge. Adam Lyth needs a score, so he'll be feeling the pressure.

There should be time for just two overs before lunch. Lyth on strike. Starc with the ball. Play!

It's a decent start to the innings for Starc. No runs, but Lyth's defence is solid for the first five balls. He leaves well outside off-stump before a half-leave sees him get an inside edge on the ball. Maiden.

LUNCH: Perhaps surprisingly, Johnson doesn't get an over before the lunch interval. Hazlewood is too straight and too full, which allows Cook to earn two through square-leg. The England skipper plays a similar shot for two more. Swing for Hazlewood, but the line is completely wrong.

That's all England wanted from those two overs. They've made it to lunch without losing a wicket and they'll return looking for 117 more runs to win this Test match. Come back in around 35 minutes for the second session.

Welcome back everyone. It wasn't the easiest of mornings for England. The Australian tail wagged, with Peter Nevill and Mitchell Starc scoring half-centuries to leave the hosts needing 121 to take a 2-1 series lead. Alastair Cook (4*) and Adam Lyth (0*) survived a two-over spell before the lunch and they are almost ready to begin again.

Australia need wickets, and they need them very quickly, too. You'd guess Johnson is the key man, while Lyon showed in the first innings that he can do damage on this pitch. However, this morning's session proved that it's a good time to bat.

Starc will bowl the first over of the session. England need 117 more runs. Will it be a comfortable chase or a nervy finish at Edgbaston?

Starc begins the over with a couple of good balls, but a half-volley hands a confidence boost to Lyth, who sends the ball racing to the cover boundary. A wider ball deserves to be punished, too. However, Lyth can only find Lyon at point with the cut.

Interesting, but a good move from Clarke. Lyon is going to bowl the fourth over of the innings.

There's turn and bounce outside off-stump as Cook leaves one alone, before cutting the next ball to Warner at backward point. The fifth ball is too full, which allows Cook to pick the gap at extra cover for three runs. Lyon then takes one past Lyth's edge. Good bowling.

Beauty! It's the perfect delivery from Starc as he finds just enough movement to beat the bat and knock back Cook's off-stump. Will England get nervous without the skipper out in the middle? Ian Bell in next.

Bell is greeted with a tester as Starc swings one back towards the toes, but England's number three finds the middle of the bat to earn four through mid-wicket. There's more movement later in the over as Starc beats the new batsman with one that is very close to off-stump. Four more runs arrive via a thick edge to third-man. England need a partnership. One early loss isn't a huge deal, but two quick wickets will hand Australia a huge boost.

If Lyon can hold up one end, Clarke might be happy to let his spinner camp in for a long spell. He won't be happy with a half-tracker which Lyth sits back to cut, but it doesn't help when Warner reads the bounce poorly at point to hand four to the opener.

Shots! Lovely stuff from Bell as he latches onto a full delivery to earn four down the ground, before delighting the Edgbaston crowd by hammering four more to the boundary just in front of point. Starc doesn't help his cause by allowing Bell to flick a freebie to fine-leg for another boundary. Drop! There's even more drama in the over. Clarke is one of the best slip catchers around, but he puts down a routine chance at second slip when Bell attempts to run the ball down to third-man. Risky shot. It's a big let off.

Bell is flying. He plays the latest of cut shots to beat first slip and collect four to third-man, before a clever piece of footwork allows him to earn two more to deep point. Lyth joins the party with a push past cover for a boundary of his own. England need 74 more runs. It's time for Johnson. Lyth 12 (21) Bell 28* (15)

The Australians have hands on head again when Bell reaches the boundary, but the line is far too wide from Johnson. It's just one bad delivery in the over as England continue to make good progress. Clarke needs something better from his main man.

Excellent from Warner at backward point as he gets two hands to a firm cut from Lyth. The most optimistic of lbw appeals follows later in the over as Lyon hits the thigh pad on the way down the leg-side. Maiden.

There's definitely some swing for Johnson, who must feel he has a chance when Bell goes after a very wide delivery without making contact. A brilliant delivery forces Bell back, but he pulls the bat away to avoid getting in trouble. Lyth 12* Bell 32

England may go on to win this match comfortably, but it's another disappointment for Lyth as Hazlewood returns to make an impact. The seamer gets one to pitch in line and he finds enough movement to trap the opener. A review follows, but the technology sends Lyth on his way.

Poor from Hazlewood. He makes the breakthrough but greets the new batsman with a short and wide ball which Root happily cuts to the boundary for four. A response arrives later in the over as Root misses one just outside off-stump. Consistency has been the issue for Hazlewood throughout the match. England need 66 more runs.

Bell leaves well outside off-stump early in the over before pushing a couple of runs through the covers, and some good running earns him two more just behind square-leg. Surprisingly, Johnson hasn't looked that threatening so far.

Root is just too strong on the back foot to pass up on gifts as he cuts powerfully to the boundary. There's almost another present due to a fumble on the off-side, but the England duo decide against taking the risk.

Bell gets off strike with a single early in the over. Clarke adopts a different plan to Root, who is greeted with a short-leg and two men out on the hook as Johnson goes with the short stuff. The defence is solid. No chances given by Root. 57 runs needed with an hour left in the session. Bell 37* Root 8

Lyon is back on after a short spell out of the attack. He's still round the wicket to both right-handers and he settles on a very good line to Root, who comes forward a long way to defend before rocking back to do the same. A risky shot follows as he drops to one knee to miscue a sweep, but he gets enough bat on ball to clear mid-wicket.

Bell has slowed down since attacking from ball one in the innings, but he keeps the scoreboard ticking with a single down to fine-leg. Much better from Hazlewood as he settles on a better line.

Lyon is a touch too leg-side throughout the over, which takes Clarke out of the equation at first-slip. There's a leg-slip in place, but Bell and Root are comfortable again as they combine for three. 51 more runs needed.

There's an optimistic appeal for a catch when Nevill takes a catch down the leg-side, but there's no bat involved. It's trademark Bell later in the over as he opens the face of the bat to earn a couple down to third-man, before pushing a single through cover.

This is turning into a pretty decent spell from Lyon, but Australia just aren't carrying the threat they need to set up a dramatic finish at Edgbaston. Just a single added to the total as England continue their march to a 2-1 series lead.

Bell doesn't find the middle of the bat with a pull, but Rogers still has to do well to get a hand to the ball at mid-wicket. A worrying moment follows when a top edge sends the ball away to fine-leg. The fielder was never in with a chance though. Much better from Hazlewood.

Starc returns with a good start to the over after an expensive opening spell earlier on. It's certainly a quiet period in the innings, but Australia need there to be fireworks really. Bell tucks into a straight one to earn two through mid-wicket.

Hazlewood is slightly too full early in the over and Root punishes him at the second attempt to collect four runs down the ground. 30 minutes left in the session. Do England want a beer with tea? They might have to step up the tempo. Bell 48* Bell 15

It sounds like a party in the stands as the locals celebrate two wides in a row from Starc, whose radar has been off for much of the over. 50! Too easy for Bell, who opens the face to find the rope at third-man and bring up his second half-century of the match. It's been an important return to form after his promotion. Bell 52* (69) Root 15 (34)

Johnson is back into the attack for what should be his final spell of the match. It's a decent return, but Root should punish a fuller wide one which drops short of Lyon at backward point. I think we'll be coming back after the tea break. Maiden.

Bell is undeterred by the fielder at leg-gully as he earns a single to fine-leg. Six! Mid-wicket is open for Root, who drops to one knee to slog-sweep over the rope. Excellent batting. Lyon responds by coming back over the wicket and it's more frustration for Australia when a top edge land safely as Root attempts the sweep again. Bell gets the strike and finishes the over by guiding past point for another boundary. 21 needed.

Johnson comes round the wicket to target Bell's ribs, but England's number three is more than happy to watch the ball go through as Nevill is forced into some good work down the leg-side. Just the single scored.

The win is getting closer. It's Bell's turn to get the slog-sweep out as he clears the fielders to claim four runs. The umpires can extend the session by 15 minutes with a result so close. You would imagine that's what they will do. England are 15 runs away.

Australia think they have a consolation wicket when Nevill takes the ball impressively down the leg-side. The umpire isn't so sure, but the review follows from Clarke. Root never looked too worried and the review system shows the ball may have just clipped the thigh. Oh dear. Johnson delivers a full-toss which is close to being a wide, but Aleem Dar decides against giving the English crowd something else to cheer. The songs haven't stopped for the best part of an hour. Johnson plays the pantomime villain perfectly. A loud chorus awaits his next ball, but he pulls out at the last moment to upset the locals and give Root a laugh. It's a party at Edgbaston.

The umpires have extended the session, but Australia are determined to keep the England batsmen out there for as long as possible as Bell picks out mid-wicket with the pull. A skip down the pitch brings a single to mid-on, before Root adds two more behind square on the leg-side. Turn and bounce for Lyon, but Bell gets enough bat on ball to find another run with a slightly miscued cut.

Clarke takes Johnson out of the firing line as Marsh comes on for his first bowl of the innings. It's a good start, but five dot balls are followed by a loose delivery and Root cuts to the rope to leave England needing just seven more.

Bell picks up a single early in the over and Root guides England closer to the finishing line with a sweep for four runs. The scores are level when Root skips down the pitch to add a quick single to mid-on.

ENGLAND WIN BY EIGHT WICKETS! Emphatic. Root finishes the job with four off the hip. After the embarrassing defeat, many predicted England would struggle to produce a response, but they have delivered the goods to outplay Australia in this match. Cook's side hold a 2-1 lead with two matches remaining.

Cook couldn't have wished for a better reaction. Since losing the toss England have been dominant, and there's plenty of heroes with Finn and Bell in particularly excellent form. Bell 65* Root 38*

There will be a few beers consumed by the England players this evening, and I'm certain the England supporters will join in, too. This series is far from over. We've seen Australia respond once. They'll come back fighting at Trent Bridge next week. Make sure you follow the action with Sports Mole.

That's all from our live coverage today. Make sure you keep an eye out for all of the reaction over the next few hours. Goodbye everyone.

© Getty Images