Ashes 2015: England near victory as Australia close on 168-7
Friday 31 July 2015 06:51, UK
Australia finished day two on 168-7 in their second innings with a lead of just 23 as England close in on victory at Edgbaston.
Resuming on 133-3, England moved past Australia's total of 136 in the first over of the day but things started to unravel in the second.
Mitchell Johnson moved past 300 Test match wickets as he dismissed Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes in the space of three balls - both unable to get out of the way of sharp bouncers.
Joe Root remained and moved past 50 before chasing a wide one from Mitchell Starc and edging to Adam Voges at first slip. Jos Buttler was the next man out, lbw to Nathan Lyon.
Either side of lunch Moeen Ali, ably assisted by Stuart Broad, helped England to extend their lead beyond 100 with the former going past 50. However, both fell in quick succession before James Anderson was the last man out with England on 281.
Broad got Rogers early in Australia's second innings but David Warner flew out of the blocks and reached 50 off just 35 balls. Then in a brilliant spell either side of tea Steve Finn ran threw the Australia middle-order to claim a five-for, dismissing Steve Smith, Michael Clarke and Adam Voges among others.
A potential side strain for Anderson was the only downside for England as Australia closed on 168-7 and the hosts will hope to wrap up the match tomorrow morning.
Watch all the action in the video above.
