England take 2-1 Ashes lead after beating Australia by eight wickets in the third Test

 
Man of the hour: Ian Bell scored a half century as England defeated their rivals
Stephen Brenkley1 August 2015

England are winning in the Ashes series again. They beat Australia by eight wickets in the third Investec Test shortly before tea on the third day and now lead 2-1 in the series with two matches left.

The fourth Test will start at Trent Bridge next Thursday and although England’s confidence will be high once more, they will be without the leader of their attack, Jimmy Anderson, whose side strain suffered on Thursday evening will prevent his playing.

Despite losing both openers after lunch, England were led assuredly to their target by Ian Bell, their new number three, and Joe Root, their leading batsman. Bell finished on a typically cultured 65 not out and Root, calm and unflustered, was unbeaten on 38.

Needing 121 for victory after dismissing Australia for 265 in their second innings, England lost two wickets in the afternoon session. Alastair Cook was bowled by Mitchell Starc, playing down the wrong line of a ball which curved away from him late.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">WATCH: Root clips the winning runs off his legs as England win by eight wickets and take a 2-1 lead. <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MyAshesSummer?src=hash" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-394881-https://twitter.com/hashtag/MyAshesSummer?src=hash" data-vars-event-id="c23">#MyAshesSummer</a> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=9&amp;id=222025&amp;p=https://t.co/EOBEyOFE7U" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-394881-https://t.co/EOBEyOFE7U" data-vars-event-id="c23">https://t.co/EOBEyOFE7U</a>— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/SkyCricket/status/627130436607717376" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-394881-https://twitter.com/SkyCricket/status/627130436607717376" data-vars-event-id="c23">July 31, 2015</a>

Bell hit a flurry of boundaries as soon as he came to the crease but was then dropped at second slip by the tourists’ captain, Michael Clarke, as he carelessly tried to guide a ball towards third man. As these things go it was a regulation – and probably crucial – opportunity. Clarke has had a forgettable match as player and captain.

With the score on 51, Adam Lyth was lbw to Josh Hazlewood as he played from the crease. His review was wasted as replays showed the ball pitched in line and would have hit middle stump. Lyth is on borrowed time and if he is dismissed twice cheaply at Trent Bridge, the selectors may have to look elsewhere.

Steve Finn finished with 6 for 79 as Australia’s last three wickets added 97 more runs in the morning session. Both Peter Nevill and Mitchell Starc made gritty half centuries but to make them count they needed wickets quickly. Bell and Root made sure their experience told.

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