The Ashes, 2015: Live Cricket Score of England vs Australia, 3rd Test, Day 2

Australia bowled out for 136. England 133 for 3 at stumps on Day 1 of third Ashes Test with the series level at 1-1. Now who saw that coming? Not me certainly. The nine-day break between the Test matches has certainly done England a world of good. They looked refreshed and Australia, strangely despondent.

The fact of the matter is, England led by the crafty Jimmy Anderson and a buoyant Steven Finn bowled the Aussies out for a measly 135 despite losing the toss and having been asked to field first in Birmingham, where only recently Sussex and Warwickshire scored 600 each.

Joe Root (30*) and Jonny Bairstow (1*) will start proceedings for the hosts, who are just 3 runs shy of Australia's total. Can they press home the advantage with a huge first innings lead? Will the Mitches stand up and be counted?

Mitchell Johnson threw open the Test match in the space of three balls early on Day 2. He removed Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes soon after England passed Australia's first innings total. His 300th Test wicket came couldn't have come off a better delivery. A rib-snorter that Bairstow could only glove to the keeper.

Ben Stokes fell for a duck two balls later. Another unplayable short ball that took the glove on its way to the keeper. Fabulous start to Day 2.

Stat: Johnson joins Shane Warne (708), Glenn McGrath (563), Dennis Lillee (355) and Brett Lee (310) as the only Australian bowlers to have taken 300 Test wickets.

Sometimes when you're defending a small target you start going looking for wickets. I think Australia were guilty of that, of trying to knock England over and take wickets rather than get the ball in the right area and build pressure. There was only one maiden over in the whole inning so far and I think that says a lot about their mindset. They're looking to take wickets rather than getting the ball in the right area, build pressure and then the wickets will come.
Sometimes when you're defending a small target you start going looking for wickets. I think Australia were guilty of that, of trying to knock England over and take wickets rather than get the ball in the right area and build pressure. There was only one maiden over in the whole inning so far and I think that says a lot about their mindset. They're looking to take wickets rather than getting the ball in the right area, build pressure and then the wickets will come.

- As told to cricket.com.au.

Well... what better way to usher in your birthday than by picking up a six-fer against Australia on Day 1 of the third Ashes Test with the series tied 1-1? James Anderson turns 33 today. Here's wishing him the best of years to come. Has his first innings spell turned the tide firmly in England's favour? Let us know! Send in your Tweets to