Anderson finished with figures of 6-47 off 14.4 overs

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

England pace bowler James Anderson sliced through Australia’s batting line-up with six wickets on the first day of the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston.

Australia captain Michael Clarke would have been regretting his decision to bat first as the entire batting line-up, with the exception of opener Chris Rogers, failed to fire.

Rogers was the only shining light on an otherwise forgettable day for Australia as he made 52 off 89 balls, which included nine boundaries.

Rogers made a gutsy 52

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Besides Rogers, none of the other Australian batsmen were able to surpass the 20-run mark, with Adam Voges being the next highest scorer with 16 runs. As a result, the Baggy Greens were skittled out for 136 in just 36.4 overs.

Anderson was easily the pick of the bowlers as he picked up six wickets, while Steven Finn and Stuart Broad chipped in with two wickets apiece.

Trailing by 136 runs, England got off to a poor start as opener Adam Lyth was caught by Voges in the slips off the bowling of Josh Hazlewood for 10.

England skipper Alastair Cook and Ian Bell made up for the early loss of Lyth with a 57-run partnership before Cook was brilliantly caught by Voges at short leg off the bowling of Nathan Lyon for 34.

Bell and Joe Root kept the runs flowing with a 56-run stand, during which Bell brought up his half-century, before he was caught by David Warner at short midwicket off the bowling of Lyon.

Bell’s solid knock of 53 came off 56 balls and included 10 boundaries.

Bell hit 10 boundaries during his knock of 53

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Just a few deliveries after Bell’s dismissal, the rain, which kept coming and going throughout the day, returned and play was subsequently brought to an end.

Lyon was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Hazlewood claimed one.

England ended day one on 133/3 and will continue batting tomorrow at 11:00 local time or 10:00 GMT.