Ashes 2015: England reach lunch unscathed as Alastair Cook's side chase 121 target for third Test victory

Australia 136 & 265, England 281 & 4-0

Alastair Cook bats for England during the Third Test (Getty Images)

England were left needing 117 at lunch on the third day to win the Third Test and take a lead in the Ashes series.

The morning session at Edgbaston was fraught for both sides as England tried desperately to take the three wickets they needed and Australia urgently sought to establish a lead which might offer a semblance of hope.

Controversy also stalked the first session of the third day with England being denied a wicket they ought to have had. Australia began proceedings with a flurry of runs, 19 of them in the first two overs, some from the edge, most from firm drives.

England thought they had the breakthrough when Peter Nevill, dropped down the leg side behind the wicket on Thursday night, appeared to be out in similar fashion soon after he had reached a vigilant fifty. But the appeal was turned down and England had used both their permitted reviews. Replays showed Nevill had gloved the ball.

Australia added a potentially crucial 21 more runs before Nevill finally perished for 59, again flicking down the leg side. His review of the decision was rejected, replays clearly showing he had hit the ball.

When Josh Hazlewood was sharply caught at third slip by Joe Root leaping high to his right to give Steve Finn his sixth wicket, Australia were 245 for nine. But the last wicket pair of Mitchell Starc, who compiled a well-crafted, upright half century, his fifth in Tests, and Nathan Lyon stubbornly added another 20 runs.

Starc eventually succumbed, driving Mooen Ali to point and England were left a challenging 121 to take a 2-1 lead in the series. They scored 4-0, two twos clipped Alastair Cook, in the two overs before lunch.

For England, the day started with a note of unwelcome news. The leader of their bowling attack, Jimmy Anderson, will miss the fourth Investec test at Trent Bridge, which starts next Thursday, with a side strain sustained on Thursday night. There is no certainty that he will be able to resume for the final test at The Oval.