Day three at a glance: England dominate first Ashes Test as Australia mount a fight back in final session

England moved into a commanding position in the first Ashes Test after an enthralling third day at the Swalec Stadium in Cardiff.

By the end of it, after 15 wickets, Australia had been set a victory target of 412 while England left themselves two days to pick up 10 wickets and take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Here's the best of the action on day three... 

 

1ST SESSION AUS 308; ENG 21-1

65 runs, six wickets, 23.5 overs

Australia start confident of overhauling England’s first-innings total but the hosts have other ideas. Stuart Broad traps danger man Shane Watson in front with just one run added to the overnight total of 264 for five.

England celebrate after bowling Australia our for 308 and securing a first-innings lead of 430

England celebrate after bowling Australia our for 308 and securing a first-innings lead of 430

England captain Alastair Cook fell before the lunch break in England's second innings with the score on 17

England captain Alastair Cook fell before the lunch break in England's second innings with the score on 17

Nathan Lyon goes next when he plays around a straight ball from Mark Wood and is lbw for six. Brad Haddin then edges behind to leave Australia 304 for eight. 

England wrap up the last two wickets quickly. In reply, Alastair Cook is out with the score on 17 when he drives loosely outside off stump and Gary Ballance survives a hostile spell from Mitchell Starc.

VERDICT: England win

2ND SESSION ENG 149-3

128 runs, two wickets, 27 overs

England suffer a wobble when they lose the battling Ballance for nought as he edges Josh Hazlewood behind.

Adam Lyth (37) is next to go when Aussie skipper Michael Clarke pulls off a sensational left-handed catch at slip off Lyon before Ian Bell and Joe Root team up to produce a superb fourth-wicket stand. Bell’s innings was especially welcome. 

Michael Clarke pulled off a spectacular one-handed catch in the slips to dismiss Adam Lyth

Michael Clarke pulled off a spectacular one-handed catch in the slips to dismiss Adam Lyth

The 33-year-old England No 4 had scored 56 runs in his last nine Test innings since scoring a hundred against the West Indies in April.

England reach tea as overwhelming favourites.

VERDICT: England win

3RD SESSION ENG 289

140 runs, seven wickets, 34 overs

Bell and Root extend their fourth-wicket partnership to 97 before Bell attempts one shot too many at Mitchell Johnson and the Aussie pantomime villain takes his first wicket of the series. 

Ian Bell and Joe Root both scored half-centuries as England built a big lead in the second innings

Ian Bell and Joe Root both scored half-centuries as England built a big lead in the second innings

Mark Wood's late cameo of 32 not out took England's lead beyond an imposing 400

Mark Wood's late cameo of 32 not out took England's lead beyond an imposing 400

Root chalks up yet another 50 before he is bowled by Hazlewood, prompting a mini collapse by England as Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad all fall cheaply to leave England 245 for eight — still with a commanding 377-run lead. 

Moeen Ali and Mark Wood combine to take the lead past 400 with a superb eighth-wicket partnership before Moeen falls to Johnson late in the day. Anderson is the last man out.

VERDICT: Australia win

 

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