With such a quick turn around of the first Innings for the English and Australian batsmen it is well worth pondering over the question as to whether the first Test of the 2013 Ashes will make it to its final day or not.

Coming into the third day it may have seemed preposterous to believe that the final day would play its part yet with the steady movement and batting safety of England’s Ian Bell it would seem that cautious tactics will play their part in English success (if there is to be any!).

It would be a good guesstemation to say that to reach a minimum of 250 runs for the home team would see them on their way yet it was previously believed that the powerful English bowling brilliance of Anderson, Finn and Swann would grant their opponents a doomed fate early on; that idea was quickly dashed due to the skill and diligence of young star Ashton Agar.

Despite all hope the chances of seeing day 5 are extremely thin. Fingers crossed for those with tickets but I wouldn’t hold my breath.

Kieran Matthews

Ian Bell has passed the half century mark and in doing so has reached another milestone for the game of 6000 test match runs. The lead is creeping up, currently on 165 as tea is taken with England on 230-6. With more than 30 overs remaining in the day it is still a possibility that we could see Australia batting tonight.

Prior is the next to go for 31 and that leaves England on 218-6 and out of recognised batsmen. Siddle is the wicket-taker as Prior tries to pull him but doesn’t catch it right and the ball loops to mid-wicket where Cowan completes the catch. The lead is just 154 but Bell remains on 48 despite a few convincing appeals. The Warwickshire batsman will be looking to prove some critics wrong and guide England to a comfortable position.

As the new ball is in use this game still has the opportunity to take a big step towards completion today. The crowd know this and the atmosphere remains at a high level in keeping with the pressure situation of the game. England are up to 212-5, a lead of 147 with Bell on 47 and Prior on 25.

England have moved on to 172-4 which is a lead of 107. Their journey has had a few bumps though as Bell was reprieved when he reviewed his LBW decision by the narrowest of margins. Bell is on 35 but he has just lost partner Bairstow for 15 as he edged behind to Haddin of Agar. Five down, new ball to come and Matt Prior is heading to the crease.

A balanced session for both teams which will see Australia the happier of the two sides. They have removed two of England’s biggest danger men in Cook and Pietersen but the hosts have still added 77 runs during the session taking their lead to 92. Join us in 40 minutes when England will resume on 157-4.

Even after a little recovery, England still find themselves in some bother on 155-4 and James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc tie the score down before tea. Bell has moved on to 20 with Bairstow on 11 with the crowd starting to push England on. The afternoon session is sure to bring more surprises and it could be the most crucial session so far in deciding the match.

An outstanding catch from Michael Clarke at slip does for Cook just after reaching his first 50 at Trent Bridge and gives Agar his first test wicket. Suddenly, England find themselves in some trouble as they have two new batsmen at the crease and are effectively 68-4. Bairstow is the next man to the crease and he will be hoping to build on his start from the first innings.