So England are hoping for the sun to come out tomorrow, wanting conditions to be better for batting than they were today.
Can the home side take an unbreakable hold over this match and move towards a lead in this 2015 Ashes series? Join us in the morning to find out.
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More from England paceman James Anderson on Sky Sports: "I've done some great work in the nets with Ottis Gibson over the last few days.
"Steven Finn has had a tough 18 months and worked so hard to get back in the Test side, so everyone in the dressing-room's delighted for him and he looked a threat.
"Conditions were in the bowlers' favour here today with the rain and the lights on, the more sun gets on the pitch it'll be easier to bat, so hopefully the sun will come out tomorrow."
Ashes Social
BBCCopyright: BBC
Geoffrey says England are in the perfect position. Do you agree with him? Share your views with the BBC Radio 5 live Ashes Social, which has just got under way.
"England are in the perfect position. They couldn't have dreamed of this after Lord's. They will just be saying to go in show patience, discipline and bat. Bell and Lyth gave their wickets away and they need to stop doing that. Make them bowl you out."
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Bell couldn't get to the close, a ridiculous slog at Lyon getting hit caught at mid-wicket. The returning Jonny Bairstow saw Joe Root through to the final, terminal rain break. England only three behind with seven first-innings wickets in hand.
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Adam Lyth played a horrible loose drive to be caught behind, Alastair Cook was unbelievably unlucky to pull a Nathan Lyon long hop straight to the guts of Adam Voges at short leg. England, though, will be most pleased with the eye-catching drives that took Ian Bell to a much-needed half-century.
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England paceman James Anderson on Sky Sports: "We're very happy, especially after losing the toss, we created pressure to get them out for a low score and then the guys batted well.
"There was a large percentage of bad shots from them, but saying that, Chris Rogers was watchful and then put away the bad ball.
"The pitch carried more than Lord's, so Broady and I discussed that trying to hit the pitch hard, wobble the ball and hit the seam on a full length was going to do more than swinging it, and it worked well for us."
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Could Australia find the assistance that aided England? In short, no. Too many loose deliveries, wickets attained through some poor shots and one very big slice of luck.
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Australia opener Chris Rogers on the dizzy spells he suffered at Lord's: "I was desperate to play. Even to miss the last day of Lord's, they're memories you miss, but I've got the all-clear and there was nothing to stop me playing here.
"It's nice to see Steven Finn back, though I don't think he liked it when I pulled him. We just need more balls in the right area to make England defend."
"I am pleased for Steven Finn. Two years ago I saw him and thought we were lucky to have him and then he had all that trouble clipping the wickets that caused them to try and change his action.
"He gets wickets and he gets them at a cheap rate. Anyone like that, you have him in your team, you put him in your pocket and carry him around with you.
"It is a God-given gift to get wickets."
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Australia opener Chris Rogers on Sky Sports: "Very disappointing, we won the toss but England put us under pressure and we didn't respond. You have to give their attack credit, but there's times when you have to fight, and some of the shot selection... we needed to have a better day.
"The pitch was quick enough, it took the edge and carried and England exploited it well and hit the right lengths. It's going to be tough throughout the game, there's enough grass on the pitch but there's cracks in it too so it could be difficult in the fourth innings, but we're behind the game at the moment."
"This is a different scenario to Lord's but I don't think anyone expected Australia to bat as badly as they did.
"The pitch did a bit but you needed to bat sensibly. You needed to pick off the balls and be patient. Some of the shot playing beggared belief. All out for 136 was probably 20 too many from the way they played.
"The pitch dried out and it didn't do so much. But Australia have dug themselves a hole that I don't think they will get out of."
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And then the James Anderson-induced carnage. Four wickets for seven runs in 19 balls after lunch. Swinging the ball round trees to remove Voges, Marsh, Nevill and Johnson. Only Chris Rogers stood firm for 52, but when he went, Australia were rolled for 136. Anderson's 6-47 his best Ashes figures.
"Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison sometimes caused problems here with the ball coming out of the hospitality boxes at the far end - and if you're Steven Finn at six foot seven, you can cause a few."
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In his first Test over for more than two years, Finn had the world's number one batsman, Steve Smith, edging behind. He followed that up with a yorker to remove Michael Clarke. It was the Finn of old - pace and line. Australia 72-3 at lunch.
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Alastair Cook said he would have batted too, so was probably mighty relieved when he saw the movement his bowlers got both in the air and off the seam. David Warner pinned leg before by a James Anderson nip-backer, but the real story of the morning session was the rebirth of Steven Finn.
"Remarkably topsy turvy. To think England were bowled out at Lord's in 37 overs and couldn't have played worse. I wasn't quite so sure at the decision to bat by Clarke. If the ball is moving around in England, you're risking having to take on two superb fast bowlers in Broad and Anderson. Anderson is right there in the pantheon of great fast bowlers."
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It seems a long time ago that Michael Clarke called correctly and won the toss, doesn't it? That's pretty much the only thing that has gone right for the Australia skipper today.
Close-of-play scorecard
BBCCopyright: BBC
Close of play
Eng 133-3
Yep, the rain has had the final say. We won't be back out before 19:00, so stumps have been drawn. It's grey in Birmingham, but that won't matter to England, who have had a day they could only have dreamed of. Lose the toss, bowl Australia out for 136, get to 133-3. They are in the pound to regain the lead in this series.
"Look back a week, and England were bowled out in 37 overs. Australia were bowled out in 36.4 today. The wicket of Voges was key as it caused them to panic."
Ashes Social
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BBC Radio 5 live's Ashes Social begins at 19:00, on 909 and 693 MW, on digital radios and TVs and online.
Call 0500 909 693 or text 85058.
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Hmmm, it doesn't look like those covers are going anywhere just yet. Counting down to that 19:00 cut-off now.
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Are the covers coming off, or are they simply repositioning them? Hard to tell.
"A fantastic day's Test cricket. I thought there would be a bit in it for the seamers early on, as there should be in Test match cricket, but England put it in great areas, got the seam movement from the wicket and put Australia under pressure - they got them fiddling outside off stump."
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Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
The square is now entirely covered by those dirty white sheets. There's lots of groundstaff out there. Plenty of spectators remain in the stands, so it's not heavy enough to drive them away. We might not be done yet.
"Australia can get back into this game, but they'd have to take seven wickets for 120 and bat a lot better second time round."
Rain stops play
Eng 133-3
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
The dome-like hovercover protects the wicket, while the white sheets are rolled out across the square. With how long it takes to get the covers on and off, this would have to be a pretty short shower for there to be more play today.
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Mattie Bagnall: Whoops, wild shot, but still a potentially career saving innings from Bell.
Jonny Burgin: Why did Simon Mann have to say Bell had been "redeemed of sorts". Just asking for trouble at this stage.
Greg: Brain fade there!
Rain stops play
Eng 133-3
Joe Root looks to the umpires, as if pleading to get off the park. The umpires agree and the players scuttle to the pavilion. On come the covers. If we're not back by 19:00, that would be it for the day.
Eng 133-3 (trail by 3)
Not a great time for Bairstow to resume his Test career - dark, rain falling, Australia sniffing an opening. He waits for Starc, open stance, high backlift, muttering to himself. A quick single gets him off the mark. I wonder if he now must have to deal with Mitchell Johnson. Groundstaff are ready with the covers.
Here's Jonny...
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Eng 132-3 (Lyon 2-0-3-2)
The replays make it look no better for Bell, it's almost a slog. On taking the catch, Warner was screaming, perhaps in the direction of Bell. Lyon has now bowled two overs and has removed both Cook and Bell. Jonny Bairstow is the new man, recalled after 18 months out. I suspect he will be peppered.
"Ian Bell threw his wicket away there. Give credit to Adam Voges for the Cook wicket as you see bat-pad fielders turn their backs when they see a half-tracker coming, and Voges didn't. But Bell didn't follow through with his shot and just hit it into the air."
"He was looking to hit him over the top, it went high in the air, it was a well-judged catch and Lyon has done it again."
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Bell c Warner b Lyon 53 (Eng 132-3)
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Ian Bell. Why on earth have you done that? Nathan Lyon back on, Bell looks to hit him towards Aston, completely losing his shape and eventually taking one hand off the bat. The ball goes miles into the air, but travels no distance, with David Warner running back to take the catch at mid-wicket. After such a good innings, it is a horrible, foolish way for Bell to go. Very frustrating.
"A redemption of sorts for Bell, in front of his Warwickshire supporters. He has batted beautifully - what a way to bring up your half-century. There have been one or two iffy shots, a bit like Cardiff, but he's got on with it."
50 for Ian Bell
Eng 125-2
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Well played, Ian Bell. After a poor trot, England's senior middle-order batsman marks his return to his home ground and a promotion to number three with a run-a-ball half-century. He goes there with a stroke that has characterised his innings, a lovely cover drive. England will be just as pleased with Bell's return to form as they were with their earlier bowling performance.
Get involved
Eng 125-2 (trail by 11)
It might be dark, but Joe Root is seeing it well, leaning into a Hazlewood half-volley to play the most handsome of cover drives. "Roooooooot!" Then too straight from Hazlewood, Root clipping through mid-wicket, where Mitchell Johnson does his best impression of Tower Bridge to let the ball underneath his dive. Is the bigger cheer for the boundary or the Johnson error? Don't discount Hazlewood, mind. A near-unplayable outswinger squares up Root and misses off stump by a coat of varnish.
"Australia need to restrict England now and bowl some maidens. If they bowl the ball in the right place often enough, they'll get wickets. But it's easy to say that from here."
Close!
Eng 115-2
Jonny Bairstow waits with his pads on, contemplating his first Test innings for over 18 months. Starc angles the ball across Root, who controls an edge to third man for four. Eeessshhh, nothing controlled about this, a proper edge that doesn't carry to Voges at first slip. Still something out there for the bowlers - have Australia simply not got it right as often as England did?
"Australia have a lot of work to do here, with Bell - on his home ground - and Root looking very comfortable. There's plenty more overs to bowl tonight."
Eng 110-2 (trail by 26 runs)
It's dark, I'm hearing rumours of rain in Birmingham city centre. I'd be pretty stunned if we get through to that 19:23 cut-off time without any more of the wet stuff. The floodlights are on, reflecting off the shiny side of the ball and the stickers on Joe Root's bat. Nice from Hazlewood, moving the ball away from Root, who ends the over with a single.
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Andrew Tuffnell: Great to see Bell batting like the player he is! Top class batting! #HesBack
JoElle: Ian Bell is BACK!
Amanda Rutter: Umm, who is this Ian Bell chap? I don't recognise him from the rest of the summer
"Bell is in impish mood now. He spoke about this before the game, saying what has he got to worry about, batting at three and playing on his home ground. He has carried that onto the pitch."
Drinks break
Eng 109-2
Where has this Ian Bell been hiding? Backed with some home comforts, a promotion to number three and some long half-volleys from Mitchell Starc, Bell twice sends dreamy covers drives to the boundary. Michael Clarke has his head in his hands, sending a sweeper to the off-side fence. When he won the toss this morning, he can't have imagined his team would be all out and he'd need a boundary fielder for Ian Bell. Oh, Belly! Late cut for four takes us to drinks. Sir Bell of Birmingham - he's on 47.
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Alec WhitwellCopyright: Alec Whitwell
Another look at the scorecard for England's out-of-this-world bowling performance, courtesy of Alec Whitwell in Coventry.
Eng 97-2 (trail by 39)
Hazlewood angles his run towards the new stand, a looming, blue structure that climbs miles into the sky. Ooofff, that's a beauty, nipping away off the seam and beating the grope of Bell. It's getting darker, more rain? There's a dirty black cloud overhead.
"What I think often happens when your team has been bowled out cheaply, it is almost human nature to chase the game. If England were chasing 300, the Australia bowlers would be more patient. Going hell for leather for wickets is often counter-productive."
Eng 92-2
Joe Root isn't taking this Johnson bumper barrage on the chin - not if he can help it. Bouncer, top-edged hook... six over the keeper's head. Johnson has his hand on his chin, stroking like an evil genius coming up with a new plan. More derogatory songs from the crowd, words from Johnson to Root. I think it was "good shot, Joe".
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Eng 86-2 (Bell 30, Root 7)
Only the one, successful, over for Nathan Lyon, with Josh Hazlewood back to replace him under an iron sky. Too leg-side from Hazlewood, with Root clipping fine for four then again in the same direction for a single. Edgbaston crowd back into the action - they don't stay down for long.
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Chris Parker: Australia using the "If you can't be good be lucky" approach there
Merlyn: That catch shouldn't count… I'm old fashioned and think you have to look at it.
Flemming Jensen: That did NOT just happen.......
Eng 81-2 (trail by 55)
The arrival of Root sees Johnson summoned again - Root had a touch of trouble with Johnson's head-seekers at Lord's. The wicket has just quietened Edgbaston, whilst Michael Clarke is wearing a smile for the first time since he won the toss. Johnson has Root hopping about, then Bell pinned on the back foot. He's got the speedo cranked about 92mph. There's no bowling to the left and right here, just serious pace.
Caught in the pocket?
BBCCopyright: BBC
Watch this video on the BBC Sport website to see Ed Joyce caught at short leg in 2009... by Jonathan Trott's pocket as he tried to leap out of the way!
Eng 78-2 (Lyon 1-0-2-1)
The replays make it all the more unreal. Most people in the ground were looking towards the leg-side boundary, instead Voges was celebrating and telling the Aussies it was all planned. It will give Australia a much-needed lift because, before that, they were flatter than a Staffordshire oatcake. Joe Root the new man.
"I was looking initially to the square leg boundary. He rocked back to a short ball and hit it cleanly and Voges was covering up so he didn't get hit and the ball lodged in his midriff, in his jumper. Cook played really well and that is a bonus wicket."
WICKET
Cook c Voges b Lyon 34 (Eng 76-2)
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Extraordinary. You will never, ever see a wicket quite like this. Adam Voges has somehow caught Alastair Cook without knowing where the ball is. The off-spin of Nathan Lyon for the first time, short, Cook hammering a full-bloodied pull shot. Voges ducks, but the ball goes straight at him, basically lodging in his belly. That's a one in a million type of dismissal.
"The way England are scoring they are going to be past Australia's total by the close. The Aussie bowlers are striving all the time because their batsmen have let them down."
Eng 76-1 (Cook 34, Bell 28)
This situation, right here, is what England would want to bottle and carry around with them. Pitch looking flatter than before, ball not moving, crowd baying and Ian Bell looking something like his old self. Josh Hazlewood on for Mitchell Johnson, two successive drives followed by a clip off the pads making three successive fours. "Are you Johnson in disguise?" is the song from the stands.
"Before today, Ian Bell had 149 runs off Johnson and has been dismissed seven times at an average of 21.28."
Eng 64-1 (Cook 34, Bell 16)
There's some way to go yet, but this has the potential to be England's best day of Ashes cricket since when? Melbourne 2010? Marsh serves Ian Bell a leg-stump half-volley, with Mitchell Johnson running round to do the fielding... oh, Mitchell. A slide, totally misses it, goes for four. The crowd are all over him. Strike rotated, Johnson to the other side of the ground, Cook clips in his direction once more. He collects the ball, shows his machismo by flinging it about 40 yards from its intended target. Well played, Mitch.
"If it doesn't rocket off for Johnson you take away half his firepower. So far he hasn't been able to. That is not to say he won't during the match but he hasn't and he won't bowl you out without that."
Eng 53-1 (trail by 83)
Johnson, dark of hair and moustache, is serving up some all sorts here. Wide, then some swing, then a bumper that Bell hooks for a single. Speed in the high-80s, too straight to Cook, who clips for four. Applause, fans on their feet, waving those cards that have big number 4s printed on them.
"The last time that Ian Bell batted at three in a home Test was against India at the Oval in 2011 and he made a career best of 235."
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Eng 48-1 (Cook 24, Bell 10)
Joe Root waits with his pads on, Adam Lyth a couple of seats along. He looks thoroughly hacked off. Still the skiddy Marsh, accurate on the off stump for Cook, who pushes a couple through the off side. Nothing flashy about this England accumulation, but they are only 88 behind.
Scorecard update
BBCCopyright: BBC
Eng 46-1
The Barmies are in wonderful voice, singing the song about Mitchell Johnson that uses a naughty word. One that would get me the sack. Short from Johnson, but Bell is pouncing on a pull shot, going to fine leg for four. Apparently there's a beer on sale inside the ground called 'Swing King' named after James Anderson. There's also one called 'lbw', named after Shane Watson.*
"I think it is a fascinating Test. If England play well tonight they have got the game. This session is the key. They will get more overs than Australia batted so we could be up and past them."
Sir Peter O'Sullevan 1918-2015
BBC SportCopyright: BBC Sport
And now we pause to bring you some sad news.
Former BBC racing commentator Sir Peter O'Sullevan has died at the age of 97.
As a horse-racing commentator on BBC TV for half a century, O'Sullevan had one of the best-known voices in broadcasting, and was known throughout racing as 'The Voice'.
On Twitter: Since Strauss retired, Cook's six opening partners have scored 1,717 runs in 63 innings at 28.61.
Eng 38-1 (Cook 22, Bell 6)
The Barmy Army are lubricated enough to tell us who they are, singing as Mitchell Marsh comes into the attack. Some gentle swing into the left-handed Cook, who tentatively inside edges for four. There are still 36 overs left in the day and we can play until 19:23. Might not be home in time for dinner.
Ballance bouncing back
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
While Ian Bell scratches around in the middle, the man he replaced as England's number three batsman, Gary Ballance, is also batting, albeit 100-odd miles away at the Oval. And he's going rather well too - he's just passed 50 as Yorkshire try to chase down Surrey's 265-8 in a 50-over One-Day Cup match. It's Ballance's second fifty in two One-Day Cup matches since being dropped.
Eng 34-1 (trail by 102)
Nothing in the air for Johnson, but he is rattling it down at speeds touching 90mph. Songs from the crowd at Edgbaston as Anderson and Broad sit on the England balcony, tracksuited. They're not planning on doing any more work today. Careful, Alastair. That inside edge almost finds the man at leg gully.
"It is different for the Aussie bowlers bowling here today to at Lord's when they had plenty of runs on the board. In the back of their mind they know they need to get 10 wickets cheaply. Johnson is not a big mover of the ball. He is in your face with pace. If I'm batting against him, it helps knowing he doesn't move the ball much."
Eng 32-1
Thanks, Marc. My arrival is greeted by boos inside Edgbaston. I think they're for Mitchell Johnson, rather than me. Hopefully.
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Eng 32-1
Ian Bell is being given a working over by Josh Hazlewood, the ball being expertly nipped off the seam this way and that. Driving the ball through the covers for three, the right-hander's happy to turn over the strike.
And with that, my time in the commentary seat is at an end. Here's Stephan Shemilt.
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This Is My Opinion: Now the BBC Cricket 10 little notifications of delight turn to 10 dreaded notifications of shame
Martin Smith: I feel ashamed but when England bat my ears are always on alert for the @BBCSport app notification alert sound #ashamed
Roger Scupham: How many people are like me and turn off the wicket alert when England are batting?
Eng 29-1
Alastair Cook looks in supreme nick - Mitchell Starc bowls it short and wide and clobbers four through point. The Chef is up and Cooking. The next delivery is too good though, and whistles past the outside edge.
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Eng 24-1 (Cook 13, Bell 1)
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The England fans cheer as Josh Hazlewood drops short and Alastair Cook impressively gets over the ball and pulls to the square leg boundary.
Eng 20-1
Tip and run - Ian Bell is off the mark with a scampered single.
Eng 19-1
Ian Bell is cheered to the middle. Big innings for England's new number three.
"It was a very poor shot. No seam, no swing, just a wide full ball that he went after. I said not to go fishing after it and that is exactly what he has done. It is sloppy play. Dumb cricket by Adam Lyth."
WICKET
Lyth c Voges b Hazlewood 10 (Eng 19-1)
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Oh dear. A horrible dismissal for Adam Lyth - and one which is becoming all too familiar. He nicks off to Josh Hazlewood and, after a little juggle, Adam Voges does the rest at first slip.
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Eng 18-0 (Lyth 10, Cook 8)
The outfield is rather slow since the last rain shower and Adam Lyth's nice cover drive only brings two. He gets his boundary in the end though - tickling four off his legs.
"This is a wicket where you just have to protect your stumps. Unless it is a rank half-volley just let it go by. Starc isn't doing it for me. If I was Michael Clarke now I'd be turning to the other Mitchell, Mr Johnson."
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Eng 12-0 (Lyth 4, Cook 8)
Josh Hazlewood is getting some nice shape on that red cherry but has not got full control. The two England openers exchange singles while the Aussies slip and slide in the damp outfield. It's Mitchell Marsh who mis-fields this time.
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Rory Hall: Sticking the scorecard up everywhere at this juncture is tempting fate. Do it if we win.
Jonny Burgin: Printed off the scorecard and put it in the office in Boston... No one has any idea what it means but I'm loving the view!
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A Question of Sport Teaser
Here are the answers to today's #QSTeaser from @QuestionofSport - we asked you: the last time an Ashes Test was played at Edgbaston, who were the five players with five letter surnames?
The answers are Stuart Broad, Graham Manou, Marcus North, Matt Prior and Graeme Swann.
If you remembered Graham Manou, the erstwhile Aussie reserve wicketkeeper who played his one and only Test on this ground in 2009 after Brad Haddin broke a finger, well done!
Eng 10-0 (trail by 126)
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
We can play until 19:30 BST tonight to try and get the 90 overs in. Mitchell Starc is almost running in from the sightscreen but Alastair Cook is leaving the ball well. No nibbles from the skipper who dabs a single into the off side. Adam Lyth's nerves are helped when he punches two down the ground.
"The conditions have improved since England were out there at the start of their innings, when Lyth was hanging on. There are patches of blue sky now."
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Paul B: Printed off the score and stuck it to my Aussie colleague's computer screen while he was away. He wasn't amused.
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Hang on. The covers are coming off, the refreshed-looking umpires are striding out purposefully and are quickly followed by the Australians. Then the England batsmen.
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Sam Sheringham
BBC Sport at Edgbaston
"The tea-time band have set up right in from of the Hollies Stand, who are singing along to Sweet Dreams by the Eurythmics. Well, most of them are. The Australian tour group in the front row appear distinctly unamused."
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I'm loving that people are printing the scorecard out off this website. Where's the best place you've pinned it up? Can you get somebody famous to hold it up? Maybe you can sneak it into a restaurant window?
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Kevin Carter: Printed the AUS 1st innings score to put up. Got Caught. Boss was mid telling off when he noticed the score! Stopped instantly.
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The covers are slowly being peeled back, the white sheets removed to reveal the bowlers' run-ups. Play might not be too far away.
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PACopyright: PA
Memories of Edgbaston 1997
Sam Sheringham
BBC Sport at Edgbaston
"Just to dot the i's and cross the t's on David Butler's email (15:33). In 1997, Australia won the toss and chose to bat on the first day of the first Test at Edgbaston but were skittled out for 119, with Andy Caddick taking five wickets, Darren Gough three and Devon Malcolm two. A Nasser Hussain double hundred and Graham Thorpe's 138 gave England a 360-run first innings lead, and although Australia made 477 in their second innings Alec Stewart and Michael Atherton steered England to a nine-wicket win. Sadly for England, they didn't win another match until the final Test at The Oval, by which time the Ashes were safely in Australia's hands."
"It is not easy out there. Starc has got the ball to move away from the left-handers.
"It is impossible not to smile as an opener in these conditions. You are going to get beaten. Leaving the ball will be a crucial part of the game and it is an area in which Cook, during this series, has shown the way. You can frustrate the bowlers and they get impatient."
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Rob in London: I might get shot down for blasphemy, but I wish Lord's wasn't used for Ashes Test matches. It can be so devoid of atmosphere. The Barmy Army really are a 12th man in these series. It was clear what the crowd's support meant to Cook in the first Test. Cardiff, Edgbaston, Trent Bridge, Headingley and Oval… Perfect! Fat chance, mind!
Tea
The umpires decide to take an early tea. England, however, still have more than 44 overs to survive if we have no further interruptions.
On Twitter: "The last time England used only three bowlers to bowl Australia out was in 1997 at Edgbaston."
Rain stops play
Eng 7-0 (Cook 6, Lyth 1)
AFPCopyright: AFP
England won't be too upset to see the rain fall and the covers come on.
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Earlier, we said you should print the scorecard out and put it on your office wall...
Eng 7-0
Like an expert driver parking his car in a tight space, Adam Lyth leaves the ball well to Josh Hazlewood. Then, next ball up, the bowler straightens up and there's an edge behind which doesn't carry to second slip. Soft hands.
Eng 7-0 (Cook 6, Lyth 1)
Josh Hazlewood has four slips in place, but they are not in the game when he bowls on Alastair Cook's pads and the left-hander nudges three into the vast open spaces of the outfield.
"A big factor, especially in the next 30 minutes, will be the ability to leave the ball. Australia gave a very poor example of how to do this."
Eng 4-0 (trail by 132)
I wish I had the ability of Mitchell Starc. Tall and athletic, he glides to the crease and delivers the ball at 90mph. He's almost getting too much shape at the moment. Adam Lyth grits his teeth and leaves everything he can. Just a single from the over.
"Lyth survived the over but Hazlewood is likely to be offering the thought to him that he doesn't know how. Opening the batting, especially in these conditions, is hard - and Lyth is battling hard."
Eng 3-0
If you were in any doubt whether the Aussies could bowl well on this... well, they can. Josh Hazlewood bowls some jaffas which rip past Adam Lyth's outside edge. I hate to say it, but the opener doesn't look convincing.
Text 81111
Rob in Gloucester: Great day's cricket! That's it for me, I'm logging off and leaving it at that before the England batsmen ruin it for me.
Peter in Yalding: A great comeback after Lord's that few saw coming, and guess what... the doom mongers are out already. If the bowlers can pull off that performance, why not the batsmen?
"How did that miss the stumps? It was a perfect yorker that hit the bottom of his bat, into the ground and over middle stump. Lyth is smiling because he knows he is lucky."
Eng 2-0
Josh Hazlewood almost squeezes a yorker underneath Adam Lyth's bat. The Yorkie left-hander then gets off the mark with a pushed single to mid-off.
Eng 0-0 (Lyth 0, Cook 0)
Adam Lyth will be delighted with England's 10-wicket haul today. But, with his opener's hat on, he must be dreading this next few hours. He gets a few verbals from Mitchell Starc when he nibbles at one which moves quite a way off the seam. This is what the ball is doing if you excuse my very poor graphic artist skills:
BBCCopyright: BBC
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Rich: 64 to avoid the follow on! #Positive
Son of Tony: Prediction: England all out for 89 before the close of play, Cook top-scoring with 32.
Tony: Do we have to bat now? Can't we just agree that England have won this Test? :(
"Not a nice time to bat this. Half an hour to go to tea, a menacing new ball and it is very gloomy."
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James Cox: In response to Phil in Bristol (see 15:36), what about a classic bit of Richie Benaud commentary, perhaps "Marvellous"!
Eng 0-0
Adam Lyth faces the first ball of the England innings. Mitchell Starc to deliver it and the ball's like a boomerang before being defended by the batsman who is stuck on his crease and squared up. Gulp.
Brief recap
PACopyright: PA
Had a busy day? Just checking in? Well, you've missed the Aussies.
They won the toss. Batted first. Were blown away by England. James Anderson got six, Steven Finn bowling with real pace and menace, bagged two. As did Stuart Broad.
Now England have their turn to bat.
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Sefton: Man of the series so far? Rogers? Smith? Broad? Anderson? How about Gary Barwell, the Edgbaston groundsman. Thanks the heavens we have a true English wicket. Well played that man.
"Let's be honest, England have some batting to do. If you are an Australian bowler you will fancy this. They have seen the length they have to bowl, especially Hazlewood and Starc, who move the ball around. Johnson, you just send out there to bowl with his usual hostility."
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Gavin Butler: When there's a wicket I play the BBC cricket theme by tapping a ballpoint pen on my monitor. The roar of the office then goes up.
"It has been a remarkable day at Edgbaston and England have given them a chance in this match. It is early days, though. The question is; what happens now and what do England produce when they bat?"
"6-47 is the best figures for James Anderson in an Ashes Test match."
WICKET
Lyon b Anderson 11 (Aus 136 all out)
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
There it is. Wicket number 10 for England and six for James Anderson as Nathan Lyon gets an inside edge on to his own stumps. He walks off to loud cheers and applause, acknowledging the crowd with a wave. Ball in hand.
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James Marsh: In response to Phil in Bristol (see 15:36), I'd suggest a Nelson from the Simpsons-style 'Ha Ha' sound for every Aussie wicket that falls?
Aus 136-9
Nathan Lyon is being a pest to England now - playing a flamingo-like whip through the leg side which brings four. KP would be proud of that. Then he edges James Anderson over slip for another boundary. Go hard or go home.
Live Reporting
Stephan Shemilt and Marc Higginson
All times stated are UK
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So England are hoping for the sun to come out tomorrow, wanting conditions to be better for batting than they were today.
Can the home side take an unbreakable hold over this match and move towards a lead in this 2015 Ashes series? Join us in the morning to find out.
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More from England paceman James Anderson on Sky Sports: "I've done some great work in the nets with Ottis Gibson over the last few days.
"Steven Finn has had a tough 18 months and worked so hard to get back in the Test side, so everyone in the dressing-room's delighted for him and he looked a threat.
"Conditions were in the bowlers' favour here today with the rain and the lights on, the more sun gets on the pitch it'll be easier to bat, so hopefully the sun will come out tomorrow."
Ashes Social
Geoffrey says England are in the perfect position. Do you agree with him? Share your views with the BBC Radio 5 live Ashes Social, which has just got under way.
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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"England are in the perfect position. They couldn't have dreamed of this after Lord's. They will just be saying to go in show patience, discipline and bat. Bell and Lyth gave their wickets away and they need to stop doing that. Make them bowl you out."
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Bell couldn't get to the close, a ridiculous slog at Lyon getting hit caught at mid-wicket. The returning Jonny Bairstow saw Joe Root through to the final, terminal rain break. England only three behind with seven first-innings wickets in hand.
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Adam Lyth played a horrible loose drive to be caught behind, Alastair Cook was unbelievably unlucky to pull a Nathan Lyon long hop straight to the guts of Adam Voges at short leg. England, though, will be most pleased with the eye-catching drives that took Ian Bell to a much-needed half-century.
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England paceman James Anderson on Sky Sports: "We're very happy, especially after losing the toss, we created pressure to get them out for a low score and then the guys batted well.
"There was a large percentage of bad shots from them, but saying that, Chris Rogers was watchful and then put away the bad ball.
"The pitch carried more than Lord's, so Broady and I discussed that trying to hit the pitch hard, wobble the ball and hit the seam on a full length was going to do more than swinging it, and it worked well for us."
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Could Australia find the assistance that aided England? In short, no. Too many loose deliveries, wickets attained through some poor shots and one very big slice of luck.
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Australia opener Chris Rogers on the dizzy spells he suffered at Lord's: "I was desperate to play. Even to miss the last day of Lord's, they're memories you miss, but I've got the all-clear and there was nothing to stop me playing here.
"It's nice to see Steven Finn back, though I don't think he liked it when I pulled him. We just need more balls in the right area to make England defend."
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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"I am pleased for Steven Finn. Two years ago I saw him and thought we were lucky to have him and then he had all that trouble clipping the wickets that caused them to try and change his action.
"He gets wickets and he gets them at a cheap rate. Anyone like that, you have him in your team, you put him in your pocket and carry him around with you.
"It is a God-given gift to get wickets."
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Australia opener Chris Rogers on Sky Sports: "Very disappointing, we won the toss but England put us under pressure and we didn't respond. You have to give their attack credit, but there's times when you have to fight, and some of the shot selection... we needed to have a better day.
"The pitch was quick enough, it took the edge and carried and England exploited it well and hit the right lengths. It's going to be tough throughout the game, there's enough grass on the pitch but there's cracks in it too so it could be difficult in the fourth innings, but we're behind the game at the moment."
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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"This is a different scenario to Lord's but I don't think anyone expected Australia to bat as badly as they did.
"The pitch did a bit but you needed to bat sensibly. You needed to pick off the balls and be patient. Some of the shot playing beggared belief. All out for 136 was probably 20 too many from the way they played.
"The pitch dried out and it didn't do so much. But Australia have dug themselves a hole that I don't think they will get out of."
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And then the James Anderson-induced carnage. Four wickets for seven runs in 19 balls after lunch. Swinging the ball round trees to remove Voges, Marsh, Nevill and Johnson. Only Chris Rogers stood firm for 52, but when he went, Australia were rolled for 136. Anderson's 6-47 his best Ashes figures.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison sometimes caused problems here with the ball coming out of the hospitality boxes at the far end - and if you're Steven Finn at six foot seven, you can cause a few."
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In his first Test over for more than two years, Finn had the world's number one batsman, Steve Smith, edging behind. He followed that up with a yorker to remove Michael Clarke. It was the Finn of old - pace and line. Australia 72-3 at lunch.
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Alastair Cook said he would have batted too, so was probably mighty relieved when he saw the movement his bowlers got both in the air and off the seam. David Warner pinned leg before by a James Anderson nip-backer, but the real story of the morning session was the rebirth of Steven Finn.
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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"Remarkably topsy turvy. To think England were bowled out at Lord's in 37 overs and couldn't have played worse. I wasn't quite so sure at the decision to bat by Clarke. If the ball is moving around in England, you're risking having to take on two superb fast bowlers in Broad and Anderson. Anderson is right there in the pantheon of great fast bowlers."
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It seems a long time ago that Michael Clarke called correctly and won the toss, doesn't it? That's pretty much the only thing that has gone right for the Australia skipper today.
Close-of-play scorecard
Close of play
Eng 133-3
Yep, the rain has had the final say. We won't be back out before 19:00, so stumps have been drawn. It's grey in Birmingham, but that won't matter to England, who have had a day they could only have dreamed of. Lose the toss, bowl Australia out for 136, get to 133-3. They are in the pound to regain the lead in this series.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Look back a week, and England were bowled out in 37 overs. Australia were bowled out in 36.4 today. The wicket of Voges was key as it caused them to panic."
Ashes Social
BBC Radio 5 live's Ashes Social begins at 19:00, on 909 and 693 MW, on digital radios and TVs and online.
Call 0500 909 693 or text 85058.
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Hmmm, it doesn't look like those covers are going anywhere just yet. Counting down to that 19:00 cut-off now.
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Are the covers coming off, or are they simply repositioning them? Hard to tell.
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Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"A fantastic day's Test cricket. I thought there would be a bit in it for the seamers early on, as there should be in Test match cricket, but England put it in great areas, got the seam movement from the wicket and put Australia under pressure - they got them fiddling outside off stump."
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The square is now entirely covered by those dirty white sheets. There's lots of groundstaff out there. Plenty of spectators remain in the stands, so it's not heavy enough to drive them away. We might not be done yet.
Scorecard update
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Australia can get back into this game, but they'd have to take seven wickets for 120 and bat a lot better second time round."
Rain stops play
Eng 133-3
The dome-like hovercover protects the wicket, while the white sheets are rolled out across the square. With how long it takes to get the covers on and off, this would have to be a pretty short shower for there to be more play today.
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Mattie Bagnall: Whoops, wild shot, but still a potentially career saving innings from Bell.
Jonny Burgin: Why did Simon Mann have to say Bell had been "redeemed of sorts". Just asking for trouble at this stage.
Greg: Brain fade there!
Rain stops play
Eng 133-3
Joe Root looks to the umpires, as if pleading to get off the park. The umpires agree and the players scuttle to the pavilion. On come the covers. If we're not back by 19:00, that would be it for the day.
Eng 133-3 (trail by 3)
Not a great time for Bairstow to resume his Test career - dark, rain falling, Australia sniffing an opening. He waits for Starc, open stance, high backlift, muttering to himself. A quick single gets him off the mark. I wonder if he now must have to deal with Mitchell Johnson. Groundstaff are ready with the covers.
Here's Jonny...
Eng 132-3 (Lyon 2-0-3-2)
The replays make it look no better for Bell, it's almost a slog. On taking the catch, Warner was screaming, perhaps in the direction of Bell. Lyon has now bowled two overs and has removed both Cook and Bell. Jonny Bairstow is the new man, recalled after 18 months out. I suspect he will be peppered.
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Glenn McGrath
Ex-Australia seamer on BBC Test Match Special
"Ian Bell threw his wicket away there. Give credit to Adam Voges for the Cook wicket as you see bat-pad fielders turn their backs when they see a half-tracker coming, and Voges didn't. But Bell didn't follow through with his shot and just hit it into the air."
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Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special
"He was looking to hit him over the top, it went high in the air, it was a well-judged catch and Lyon has done it again."
WICKET
Bell c Warner b Lyon 53 (Eng 132-3)
Ian Bell. Why on earth have you done that? Nathan Lyon back on, Bell looks to hit him towards Aston, completely losing his shape and eventually taking one hand off the bat. The ball goes miles into the air, but travels no distance, with David Warner running back to take the catch at mid-wicket. After such a good innings, it is a horrible, foolish way for Bell to go. Very frustrating.
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Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special
"A redemption of sorts for Bell, in front of his Warwickshire supporters. He has batted beautifully - what a way to bring up your half-century. There have been one or two iffy shots, a bit like Cardiff, but he's got on with it."
50 for Ian Bell
Eng 125-2
Well played, Ian Bell. After a poor trot, England's senior middle-order batsman marks his return to his home ground and a promotion to number three with a run-a-ball half-century. He goes there with a stroke that has characterised his innings, a lovely cover drive. England will be just as pleased with Bell's return to form as they were with their earlier bowling performance.
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Eng 125-2 (trail by 11)
It might be dark, but Joe Root is seeing it well, leaning into a Hazlewood half-volley to play the most handsome of cover drives. "Roooooooot!" Then too straight from Hazlewood, Root clipping through mid-wicket, where Mitchell Johnson does his best impression of Tower Bridge to let the ball underneath his dive. Is the bigger cheer for the boundary or the Johnson error? Don't discount Hazlewood, mind. A near-unplayable outswinger squares up Root and misses off stump by a coat of varnish.
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"Australia need to restrict England now and bowl some maidens. If they bowl the ball in the right place often enough, they'll get wickets. But it's easy to say that from here."
Close!
Eng 115-2
Jonny Bairstow waits with his pads on, contemplating his first Test innings for over 18 months. Starc angles the ball across Root, who controls an edge to third man for four. Eeessshhh, nothing controlled about this, a proper edge that doesn't carry to Voges at first slip. Still something out there for the bowlers - have Australia simply not got it right as often as England did?
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Glenn McGrath
Ex-Australia seamer on BBC Test Match Special
"Australia have a lot of work to do here, with Bell - on his home ground - and Root looking very comfortable. There's plenty more overs to bowl tonight."
Eng 110-2 (trail by 26 runs)
It's dark, I'm hearing rumours of rain in Birmingham city centre. I'd be pretty stunned if we get through to that 19:23 cut-off time without any more of the wet stuff. The floodlights are on, reflecting off the shiny side of the ball and the stickers on Joe Root's bat. Nice from Hazlewood, moving the ball away from Root, who ends the over with a single.
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Andrew Tuffnell: Great to see Bell batting like the player he is! Top class batting! #HesBack
JoElle: Ian Bell is BACK!
Amanda Rutter: Umm, who is this Ian Bell chap? I don't recognise him from the rest of the summer
Scorecard update
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Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"Bell is in impish mood now. He spoke about this before the game, saying what has he got to worry about, batting at three and playing on his home ground. He has carried that onto the pitch."
Drinks break
Eng 109-2
Where has this Ian Bell been hiding? Backed with some home comforts, a promotion to number three and some long half-volleys from Mitchell Starc, Bell twice sends dreamy covers drives to the boundary. Michael Clarke has his head in his hands, sending a sweeper to the off-side fence. When he won the toss this morning, he can't have imagined his team would be all out and he'd need a boundary fielder for Ian Bell. Oh, Belly! Late cut for four takes us to drinks. Sir Bell of Birmingham - he's on 47.
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Another look at the scorecard for England's out-of-this-world bowling performance, courtesy of Alec Whitwell in Coventry.
Eng 97-2 (trail by 39)
Hazlewood angles his run towards the new stand, a looming, blue structure that climbs miles into the sky. Ooofff, that's a beauty, nipping away off the seam and beating the grope of Bell. It's getting darker, more rain? There's a dirty black cloud overhead.
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Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"What I think often happens when your team has been bowled out cheaply, it is almost human nature to chase the game. If England were chasing 300, the Australia bowlers would be more patient. Going hell for leather for wickets is often counter-productive."
Eng 92-2
Joe Root isn't taking this Johnson bumper barrage on the chin - not if he can help it. Bouncer, top-edged hook... six over the keeper's head. Johnson has his hand on his chin, stroking like an evil genius coming up with a new plan. More derogatory songs from the crowd, words from Johnson to Root. I think it was "good shot, Joe".
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Eng 86-2 (Bell 30, Root 7)
Only the one, successful, over for Nathan Lyon, with Josh Hazlewood back to replace him under an iron sky. Too leg-side from Hazlewood, with Root clipping fine for four then again in the same direction for a single. Edgbaston crowd back into the action - they don't stay down for long.
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Chris Parker: Australia using the "If you can't be good be lucky" approach there
Merlyn: That catch shouldn't count… I'm old fashioned and think you have to look at it.
Flemming Jensen: That did NOT just happen.......
Eng 81-2 (trail by 55)
The arrival of Root sees Johnson summoned again - Root had a touch of trouble with Johnson's head-seekers at Lord's. The wicket has just quietened Edgbaston, whilst Michael Clarke is wearing a smile for the first time since he won the toss. Johnson has Root hopping about, then Bell pinned on the back foot. He's got the speedo cranked about 92mph. There's no bowling to the left and right here, just serious pace.
Caught in the pocket?
Watch this video on the BBC Sport website to see Ed Joyce caught at short leg in 2009... by Jonathan Trott's pocket as he tried to leap out of the way!
Eng 78-2 (Lyon 1-0-2-1)
The replays make it all the more unreal. Most people in the ground were looking towards the leg-side boundary, instead Voges was celebrating and telling the Aussies it was all planned. It will give Australia a much-needed lift because, before that, they were flatter than a Staffordshire oatcake. Joe Root the new man.
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Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"I was looking initially to the square leg boundary. He rocked back to a short ball and hit it cleanly and Voges was covering up so he didn't get hit and the ball lodged in his midriff, in his jumper. Cook played really well and that is a bonus wicket."
WICKET
Cook c Voges b Lyon 34 (Eng 76-2)
Extraordinary. You will never, ever see a wicket quite like this. Adam Voges has somehow caught Alastair Cook without knowing where the ball is. The off-spin of Nathan Lyon for the first time, short, Cook hammering a full-bloodied pull shot. Voges ducks, but the ball goes straight at him, basically lodging in his belly. That's a one in a million type of dismissal.
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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"The way England are scoring they are going to be past Australia's total by the close. The Aussie bowlers are striving all the time because their batsmen have let them down."
Eng 76-1 (Cook 34, Bell 28)
This situation, right here, is what England would want to bottle and carry around with them. Pitch looking flatter than before, ball not moving, crowd baying and Ian Bell looking something like his old self. Josh Hazlewood on for Mitchell Johnson, two successive drives followed by a clip off the pads making three successive fours. "Are you Johnson in disguise?" is the song from the stands.
How's stat?!
Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
"Before today, Ian Bell had 149 runs off Johnson and has been dismissed seven times at an average of 21.28."
Eng 64-1 (Cook 34, Bell 16)
There's some way to go yet, but this has the potential to be England's best day of Ashes cricket since when? Melbourne 2010? Marsh serves Ian Bell a leg-stump half-volley, with Mitchell Johnson running round to do the fielding... oh, Mitchell. A slide, totally misses it, goes for four. The crowd are all over him. Strike rotated, Johnson to the other side of the ground, Cook clips in his direction once more. He collects the ball, shows his machismo by flinging it about 40 yards from its intended target. Well played, Mitch.
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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"If it doesn't rocket off for Johnson you take away half his firepower. So far he hasn't been able to. That is not to say he won't during the match but he hasn't and he won't bowl you out without that."
Eng 53-1 (trail by 83)
Johnson, dark of hair and moustache, is serving up some all sorts here. Wide, then some swing, then a bumper that Bell hooks for a single. Speed in the high-80s, too straight to Cook, who clips for four. Applause, fans on their feet, waving those cards that have big number 4s printed on them.
How's stat?
Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
"The last time that Ian Bell batted at three in a home Test was against India at the Oval in 2011 and he made a career best of 235."
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Eng 48-1 (Cook 24, Bell 10)
Joe Root waits with his pads on, Adam Lyth a couple of seats along. He looks thoroughly hacked off. Still the skiddy Marsh, accurate on the off stump for Cook, who pushes a couple through the off side. Nothing flashy about this England accumulation, but they are only 88 behind.
Scorecard update
Eng 46-1
The Barmies are in wonderful voice, singing the song about Mitchell Johnson that uses a naughty word. One that would get me the sack. Short from Johnson, but Bell is pouncing on a pull shot, going to fine leg for four. Apparently there's a beer on sale inside the ground called 'Swing King' named after James Anderson. There's also one called 'lbw', named after Shane Watson.*
*The second part of this isn't true.
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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"I think it is a fascinating Test. If England play well tonight they have got the game. This session is the key. They will get more overs than Australia batted so we could be up and past them."
Sir Peter O'Sullevan 1918-2015
And now we pause to bring you some sad news.
Former BBC racing commentator Sir Peter O'Sullevan has died at the age of 97.
As a horse-racing commentator on BBC TV for half a century, O'Sullevan had one of the best-known voices in broadcasting, and was known throughout racing as 'The Voice'.
Sir Peter died home in London after a long illness. Follow Sportsday live for tributes.
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Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
On Twitter: Since Strauss retired, Cook's six opening partners have scored 1,717 runs in 63 innings at 28.61.
Eng 38-1 (Cook 22, Bell 6)
The Barmy Army are lubricated enough to tell us who they are, singing as Mitchell Marsh comes into the attack. Some gentle swing into the left-handed Cook, who tentatively inside edges for four. There are still 36 overs left in the day and we can play until 19:23. Might not be home in time for dinner.
Ballance bouncing back
While Ian Bell scratches around in the middle, the man he replaced as England's number three batsman, Gary Ballance, is also batting, albeit 100-odd miles away at the Oval. And he's going rather well too - he's just passed 50 as Yorkshire try to chase down Surrey's 265-8 in a 50-over One-Day Cup match. It's Ballance's second fifty in two One-Day Cup matches since being dropped.
Eng 34-1 (trail by 102)
Nothing in the air for Johnson, but he is rattling it down at speeds touching 90mph. Songs from the crowd at Edgbaston as Anderson and Broad sit on the England balcony, tracksuited. They're not planning on doing any more work today. Careful, Alastair. That inside edge almost finds the man at leg gully.
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Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"It is different for the Aussie bowlers bowling here today to at Lord's when they had plenty of runs on the board. In the back of their mind they know they need to get 10 wickets cheaply. Johnson is not a big mover of the ball. He is in your face with pace. If I'm batting against him, it helps knowing he doesn't move the ball much."
Eng 32-1
Thanks, Marc. My arrival is greeted by boos inside Edgbaston. I think they're for Mitchell Johnson, rather than me. Hopefully.
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Eng 32-1
Ian Bell is being given a working over by Josh Hazlewood, the ball being expertly nipped off the seam this way and that. Driving the ball through the covers for three, the right-hander's happy to turn over the strike.
And with that, my time in the commentary seat is at an end. Here's Stephan Shemilt.
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This Is My Opinion: Now the BBC Cricket 10 little notifications of delight turn to 10 dreaded notifications of shame
Martin Smith: I feel ashamed but when England bat my ears are always on alert for the @BBCSport app notification alert sound #ashamed
Roger Scupham: How many people are like me and turn off the wicket alert when England are batting?
Eng 29-1
Alastair Cook looks in supreme nick - Mitchell Starc bowls it short and wide and clobbers four through point. The Chef is up and Cooking. The next delivery is too good though, and whistles past the outside edge.
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Eng 24-1 (Cook 13, Bell 1)
The England fans cheer as Josh Hazlewood drops short and Alastair Cook impressively gets over the ball and pulls to the square leg boundary.
Eng 20-1
Tip and run - Ian Bell is off the mark with a scampered single.
Eng 19-1
Ian Bell is cheered to the middle. Big innings for England's new number three.
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Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"It was a very poor shot. No seam, no swing, just a wide full ball that he went after. I said not to go fishing after it and that is exactly what he has done. It is sloppy play. Dumb cricket by Adam Lyth."
WICKET
Lyth c Voges b Hazlewood 10 (Eng 19-1)
Oh dear. A horrible dismissal for Adam Lyth - and one which is becoming all too familiar. He nicks off to Josh Hazlewood and, after a little juggle, Adam Voges does the rest at first slip.
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Eng 18-0 (Lyth 10, Cook 8)
The outfield is rather slow since the last rain shower and Adam Lyth's nice cover drive only brings two. He gets his boundary in the end though - tickling four off his legs.
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Phil Tufnell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"This is a wicket where you just have to protect your stumps. Unless it is a rank half-volley just let it go by. Starc isn't doing it for me. If I was Michael Clarke now I'd be turning to the other Mitchell, Mr Johnson."
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Eng 12-0 (Lyth 4, Cook 8)
Josh Hazlewood is getting some nice shape on that red cherry but has not got full control. The two England openers exchange singles while the Aussies slip and slide in the damp outfield. It's Mitchell Marsh who mis-fields this time.
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Rory Hall: Sticking the scorecard up everywhere at this juncture is tempting fate. Do it if we win.
Jonny Burgin: Printed off the scorecard and put it in the office in Boston... No one has any idea what it means but I'm loving the view!
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A Question of Sport Teaser
Here are the answers to today's #QSTeaser from @QuestionofSport - we asked you: the last time an Ashes Test was played at Edgbaston, who were the five players with five letter surnames?
The answers are Stuart Broad, Graham Manou, Marcus North, Matt Prior and Graeme Swann.
If you remembered Graham Manou, the erstwhile Aussie reserve wicketkeeper who played his one and only Test on this ground in 2009 after Brad Haddin broke a finger, well done!
Eng 10-0 (trail by 126)
We can play until 19:30 BST tonight to try and get the 90 overs in. Mitchell Starc is almost running in from the sightscreen but Alastair Cook is leaving the ball well. No nibbles from the skipper who dabs a single into the off side. Adam Lyth's nerves are helped when he punches two down the ground.
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Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special
"The conditions have improved since England were out there at the start of their innings, when Lyth was hanging on. There are patches of blue sky now."
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Paul B: Printed off the score and stuck it to my Aussie colleague's computer screen while he was away. He wasn't amused.
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Hang on. The covers are coming off, the refreshed-looking umpires are striding out purposefully and are quickly followed by the Australians. Then the England batsmen.
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Sam Sheringham
BBC Sport at Edgbaston
"The tea-time band have set up right in from of the Hollies Stand, who are singing along to Sweet Dreams by the Eurythmics. Well, most of them are. The Australian tour group in the front row appear distinctly unamused."
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I'm loving that people are printing the scorecard out off this website. Where's the best place you've pinned it up? Can you get somebody famous to hold it up? Maybe you can sneak it into a restaurant window?
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Kevin Carter: Printed the AUS 1st innings score to put up. Got Caught. Boss was mid telling off when he noticed the score! Stopped instantly.
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The covers are slowly being peeled back, the white sheets removed to reveal the bowlers' run-ups. Play might not be too far away.
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Memories of Edgbaston 1997
Sam Sheringham
BBC Sport at Edgbaston
"Just to dot the i's and cross the t's on David Butler's email (15:33). In 1997, Australia won the toss and chose to bat on the first day of the first Test at Edgbaston but were skittled out for 119, with Andy Caddick taking five wickets, Darren Gough three and Devon Malcolm two. A Nasser Hussain double hundred and Graham Thorpe's 138 gave England a 360-run first innings lead, and although Australia made 477 in their second innings Alec Stewart and Michael Atherton steered England to a nine-wicket win. Sadly for England, they didn't win another match until the final Test at The Oval, by which time the Ashes were safely in Australia's hands."
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"Geoffrey [Boycott] has been saying this pitch has not done much. But I think some balls have done an awful lot."
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Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"It is not easy out there. Starc has got the ball to move away from the left-handers.
"It is impossible not to smile as an opener in these conditions. You are going to get beaten. Leaving the ball will be a crucial part of the game and it is an area in which Cook, during this series, has shown the way. You can frustrate the bowlers and they get impatient."
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Rob in London: I might get shot down for blasphemy, but I wish Lord's wasn't used for Ashes Test matches. It can be so devoid of atmosphere. The Barmy Army really are a 12th man in these series. It was clear what the crowd's support meant to Cook in the first Test. Cardiff, Edgbaston, Trent Bridge, Headingley and Oval… Perfect! Fat chance, mind!
Tea
The umpires decide to take an early tea. England, however, still have more than 44 overs to survive if we have no further interruptions.
Scorecard update
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Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
On Twitter: "The last time England used only three bowlers to bowl Australia out was in 1997 at Edgbaston."
Rain stops play
Eng 7-0 (Cook 6, Lyth 1)
England won't be too upset to see the rain fall and the covers come on.
Get Involved
Earlier, we said you should print the scorecard out and put it on your office wall...
Eng 7-0
Like an expert driver parking his car in a tight space, Adam Lyth leaves the ball well to Josh Hazlewood. Then, next ball up, the bowler straightens up and there's an edge behind which doesn't carry to second slip. Soft hands.
Eng 7-0 (Cook 6, Lyth 1)
Josh Hazlewood has four slips in place, but they are not in the game when he bowls on Alastair Cook's pads and the left-hander nudges three into the vast open spaces of the outfield.
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Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"A big factor, especially in the next 30 minutes, will be the ability to leave the ball. Australia gave a very poor example of how to do this."
Eng 4-0 (trail by 132)
I wish I had the ability of Mitchell Starc. Tall and athletic, he glides to the crease and delivers the ball at 90mph. He's almost getting too much shape at the moment. Adam Lyth grits his teeth and leaves everything he can. Just a single from the over.
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"Lyth survived the over but Hazlewood is likely to be offering the thought to him that he doesn't know how. Opening the batting, especially in these conditions, is hard - and Lyth is battling hard."
Eng 3-0
If you were in any doubt whether the Aussies could bowl well on this... well, they can. Josh Hazlewood bowls some jaffas which rip past Adam Lyth's outside edge. I hate to say it, but the opener doesn't look convincing.
Text 81111
Rob in Gloucester: Great day's cricket! That's it for me, I'm logging off and leaving it at that before the England batsmen ruin it for me.
Peter in Yalding: A great comeback after Lord's that few saw coming, and guess what... the doom mongers are out already. If the bowlers can pull off that performance, why not the batsmen?
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Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"How did that miss the stumps? It was a perfect yorker that hit the bottom of his bat, into the ground and over middle stump. Lyth is smiling because he knows he is lucky."
Eng 2-0
Josh Hazlewood almost squeezes a yorker underneath Adam Lyth's bat. The Yorkie left-hander then gets off the mark with a pushed single to mid-off.
Eng 0-0 (Lyth 0, Cook 0)
Adam Lyth will be delighted with England's 10-wicket haul today. But, with his opener's hat on, he must be dreading this next few hours. He gets a few verbals from Mitchell Starc when he nibbles at one which moves quite a way off the seam. This is what the ball is doing if you excuse my very poor graphic artist skills:
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Rich: 64 to avoid the follow on! #Positive
Son of Tony: Prediction: England all out for 89 before the close of play, Cook top-scoring with 32.
Tony: Do we have to bat now? Can't we just agree that England have won this Test? :(
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"Not a nice time to bat this. Half an hour to go to tea, a menacing new ball and it is very gloomy."
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James Cox: In response to Phil in Bristol (see 15:36), what about a classic bit of Richie Benaud commentary, perhaps "Marvellous"!
Eng 0-0
Adam Lyth faces the first ball of the England innings. Mitchell Starc to deliver it and the ball's like a boomerang before being defended by the batsman who is stuck on his crease and squared up. Gulp.
Brief recap
Had a busy day? Just checking in? Well, you've missed the Aussies.
They won the toss. Batted first. Were blown away by England. James Anderson got six, Steven Finn bowling with real pace and menace, bagged two. As did Stuart Broad.
Now England have their turn to bat.
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Sefton: Man of the series so far? Rogers? Smith? Broad? Anderson? How about Gary Barwell, the Edgbaston groundsman. Thanks the heavens we have a true English wicket. Well played that man.
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"Let's be honest, England have some batting to do. If you are an Australian bowler you will fancy this. They have seen the length they have to bowl, especially Hazlewood and Starc, who move the ball around. Johnson, you just send out there to bowl with his usual hostility."
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Gavin Butler: When there's a wicket I play the BBC cricket theme by tapping a ballpoint pen on my monitor. The roar of the office then goes up.
Print it out, stick it on the office wall
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Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special
"It has been a remarkable day at Edgbaston and England have given them a chance in this match. It is early days, though. The question is; what happens now and what do England produce when they bat?"
How's stat?
Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
"6-47 is the best figures for James Anderson in an Ashes Test match."
WICKET
Lyon b Anderson 11 (Aus 136 all out)
There it is. Wicket number 10 for England and six for James Anderson as Nathan Lyon gets an inside edge on to his own stumps. He walks off to loud cheers and applause, acknowledging the crowd with a wave. Ball in hand.
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James Marsh: In response to Phil in Bristol (see 15:36), I'd suggest a Nelson from the Simpsons-style 'Ha Ha' sound for every Aussie wicket that falls?
Aus 136-9
Nathan Lyon is being a pest to England now - playing a flamingo-like whip through the leg side which brings four. KP would be proud of that. Then he edges James Anderson over slip for another boundary. Go hard or go home.