England set 121 to win third Ashes Test on day three at Edgbaston
Friday 31 July 2015 16:39, UK
England are chasing a target of 121 to win the third Investec Ashes Test after a spirited effort by the Australia lower-order ensured England will be made to work for a 2-1 series lead.
Resuming day three on 168-7 in their second innings and with a lead of just 23, the tourists were able to push their score to 265 all out, with Peter Nevill and Mitchell Starc both hitting enterprising half-centuries, to set England a target of 121.
Alastair Cook and Adam Lyth then safely navigated the two overs before lunch – Cook clipping a couple of balls off his pads – to reach the break on 4-0.
Nevill (59), circumspect on Thursday evening, was more expansive in the Birmingham sunshine on day three and was fortunate to see an inside edge just miss his off-stump before bringing up his maiden Test fifty in 126 balls.
Jos Buttler thought he had him caught behind with an acrobatic catch down the leg-side off Steven Finn, but with no reviews remaining, England could do nothing about umpire Aleem Dar's shake of the head.
They did have him soon afterwards though, Buttler taking a fine one-handed catch from a nick down leg off the excellent Finn (6-79).
Starc (58) continued unbowed, launching Moeen Ali back over his head for a steepling six to take the lead to 100, before Joe Root took a wonderful reflex catch in the slips to remove Josh Hazlewood (11) and hand Ben Stokes his first wicket.
He should have had his second two balls later when he pinned Nathan Lyon on the back foot, but Dar again shook his head with Hawkeye showing the ball hitting middle-and-leg.
But with England becoming frustrated at watching the lead climb, Starc eventually spooned Moeen Ali to substitute fielder Josh Poysden – on for the injured James Anderson – at extra cover to bring the innings to a close.
