BIRMINGHAM — Ian Bell guided England to an eight-wicket victory over Australia in the third Test at Edgbaston Friday to put the hosts 2-1 up in the series with two matches to play. Bell (65 not out) and Joe Root, with an unbeaten 38, anchored the chase after England were set to 121 to win on the third day at Edgbaston where a dominant performance banished memories of a heavy defeat at Lord's. England lost Alastair Cook (7) and Adam Lyth (12) to set a few nerves on edge but Bell, dropped on 20 by Australia captain Michael Clarke, made his second 50 of the match to spark raucous celebrations after Root hit the winning runs. The host took command on day one when Australia was shot out for 136, James Anderson, who will miss the next Test with a side strain, taking six wickets — a feat matched by the recalled Steven Finn in the second innings. "It's been a fantastic three days," Cook said. "I don't think the pitch was 140 all out but the way Jimmy bowled, backed up by Steve was fantastic." Victory at either Trent Bridge, in the fourth Test which starts on Aug. 6, or The Oval in the last match would guarantee England winning back the Ashes which they so dismally surrendered in a 5-0 loss in Australia in 2013-14. England's celebrations will be tempered, however, by the major blow of losing Anderson, possibly for the rest of the series. Australia's tail wagged Friday, adding 97 to its overnight total before it was dismissed for 265 just before lunch. England had hoped to quickly take the three remaining second-innings wickets but Australia pushed its lead to 120 before Moeen Ali removed Mitchell Starc. Starc had led Australia's resistance with some big hits in his 58, sharing an eighth-wicket stand of 64 with wicketkeeper Peter Nevill (59) who held up England for 147 balls in compiling a maiden Test half-century. Finn eventually made the breakthrough when Nevill was caught down the leg side, the paceman taking a test best 6-79 after a two-year absence from the side. Clarke, who admitted his poor form with the bat was a big cause for concern, said credit must go to England. "I was proud of how the boys fought," he said. "I think around 180-200 would have given us a chance but England played well. "Our goal is to win the series, I still believe we can do that. We have to play well but it's pretty simple." Scores: Australia 1st Innings 136 (C. Rogers 52; J. Anderson 6-47) and 265 (D. Warner 77, P. Nevill 59, M. Starc 58; Finn 6-79). England 1st Innings 281 (J Root 63, M Ali 59, I. Bell 53; N. Lyon 3-36, J. Hazlewood 3-74) and 124-2 (I. Bell 65 not out, J. Root 38 not out). Play washed out The entire second day's play in the second and final Test between Bangladesh and South Africa was wiped out as rain continued to wreak havoc in the series. Heavy downpours washed out the morning session and rain was pouring again in the afternoon, prompting the match official to abandon play after lunch. When and if the action resumes Saturday, Bangladesh will continue on 246 for eight after opting to bat first at Mirpur's Shere Bangla National Stadium. The weather also intervened in the drawn first Test in Chittagong with only 221 overs bowled as rain curtailed play on the second and third days before washing out the last two days. While the rain in Dhaka compromises the prospect of a result again, Bangladesh, which stunned the Proteas in the one-day series, is unlikely to mind a drawn series against opponent who sits eight places above it at the top of Test rankings. — Reuters
