England thrash Australia at Edgbaston to lead the Ashes

England have taken a 2-1 lead in the Ashes series after thrashing Australia by eight wickets in the third Test at Edgbaston, which finished inside three days.

Ian Bell, playing on his home ground, and Joe Root saw England home on Friday afternoon, reaching their target of 121 shortly before tea on the third day.

Anderson's six

England took control of the match on the first morning. Jimmy Anderson took six wickets for 47 runs as Australia were bowled out for just 136 in their first innings, with only opener Chris Rogers, who made 52, offering any resistance.

England replied with 281, a lead of 145, with half-centuries from Bell and Moeen Ali helping them build a strong position.

Finn's return

Australia fought back in their second innings, with David Warner making 77 and Peter Nevill and Mitchell Starc adding half-centuries lower down the order. But Steven Finn, recalled to the England side after two years out of Test cricket, took six wickets to bowl Australia out for 265.

Finn, who has worked hard to rebuild his bowling action after struggling with it, was named man of the match after taking eight wickets in the game.

England then knocked off the 121 runs they needed for the loss of two wickets. Bell finished unbeaten on 65 and Root on 38.

Anderson injury worry

The victory came despite the loss of Anderson, who suffered a side strain during Australia's second innings and did not bowl again in the match. England will be anxious about his fitness for the fourth Test at Trent Bridge next week.

Bell's home ground

For Bell, who plays his county cricket for Warwickshire at Edgbaston, the match was a welcome return to form. He had moved up to bat at number three for this Test, and responded with two half-centuries in front of his home crowd.

A fortress

Edgbaston has become something of a fortress for England. The ground is known for its loud and passionate crowds, especially in the famous Eric Hollies Stand, and many players say it has the best atmosphere of any ground in the country. England captain Alastair Cook said the crowd had been "up there with the loudest I can remember".

The ground has a special place in Ashes history. It hosted its first Test match in the 1902 Ashes series, and in 2005 was the scene of one of the most famous finishes in Test cricket, when England beat Australia by two runs.

Two to play

England need only one more win from the last two Tests, at Trent Bridge and The Oval, to regain the Ashes, which Australia won 5-0 in 2013-14. After losing heavily at Lord's in the second Test, England's turnaround has been dramatic, and the mood around the team is now one of real confidence.