England v Australia 3rd Ashes Test match, 5 talking points

England v Australia 3rd Ashes Test match, 5 talking points: The 3rd Investec Ashes test match between arch-rivals England and Australia at Edgbaston, was expected to rekindle and evoke the magic and aroma of the epic 2005 Edgbaston test. Going into the Test both the teams were squared up at 1-1, which promised to unfold a mouth-watering thriller. But, who would have thought that the Australian’s would get bundled out for a mere total of 136 runs in the first innings which shifted the tide completely in favor of the home side as they imposed severe wounds on the self-belief of the Australians who could never recover from the ghosts of the 1st innings. Eventually, the English side marched ahead in the game with each passing session with abrupt domination. And towards the end of the 2nd session, English team had won the match easily with 8 wickets in hand: Let’s have a look at the England v Australia 3rd Ashes Test match, 5 talking points: 1. Australia’s poor batting: (© Getty Images) After Michael Clarke opted to bat first, even in his wildest dreams, he wouldn’t have imagined that they would get all-out only in 36.4 overs and for 136 runs. The visitors didn’t apply themselves to the best of their abilities. Although, the conditions were overcast and the pitch was doing a bit but with time the pitch eased out, it was nothing out of blues for them. Their over-dependence on certain players like Rogers and Smith and out-of form middle order again got exposed. The batters failed miserably in both the innings and set up a meager chase of 123 runs for England. 2. England’s emphatic bowling: (© Getty Images) When it comes to exploiting the home conditions to the very best, then very few teams can match the triumphant English bowlers who possess the ability and skill to outshine any batting line-up of the world. The trio of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Steve Finn proved too hot to handle for the visitors. The bowlers showcased their aptness and mastery in the home conditions as they exploited every bit that the pitch offered, from the weather conditions to the seam from the deck at all the stages of the game. On a whole, all the bowlers did their job and complemented each other really well. 3. James Anderson and Steve Finn: (© Getty Images) The man with 700 International wickets, Jimmy Anderson again showcased why people rate him so highly in International circuit. The Premiere English bowler, Anderson once again displayed his classical attributes as a swing bowler as he transpired to a six-fer in the 1st innings to punch the Australians out of the match on the very first day itself. Steve Finn the comeback man transformed into a protagonist as well with match figures of 8/117. In the first innings, Finn caused a collapse in Aussie batting when he took crucial wickets of Smith and Clarke. In the 2nd innings, his magnificence with the red cherry earned him an elusive six-fer. 4. Ian Bell’s determination: Ian Bell. (© Getty Images) If there was one player whose career was on the line, it was Ian Bell who was gripped in a dire do-or-die situation. In the make or break test of his career on his home ground, Bell proved why he is epitomized so highly as a classical batsman. In the first innings, Ian Bell came to the crease early but when his vigil ended on the 22 yards, he had rallied his side to a safe position from a tricky one with 56 balls 53 run knock which was nothing less than a century in a low scoring encounter. Even in the 2nd innings, Starc was blowing fire on the 22 yards but Bell counterattacked the Australians and took his side past the victory line with his fascinating knock of 65 runs. 5. England’s gritty comeback: (© Getty Images) When a side bites the dust by a colossal margin of 405 runs, it is never an easy pill to swallow. With the win at Lords, Australian’s looked at their dictating best once again and hard to stop. But, in testing times it boils down to the character of the team. English team showcased abrupt fortitude and perseverance en route to the path of glory at the Edgbaston test which was never meant to be a cakewalk. And the England team did it in style as well as they outshone the wrath of the Australians in only three days. The fantastic performances from all the departments and their resilient efforts ensured that they also gained the mental edge apart from the win ahead of the 4th Ashes test.