Birmingham: What is a summer day at the end of July in England without skies populated by apocalyptic clouds, people bundled up in jackets and coats taking refuge under brollies, and the cricket being interrupted by misty drizzles and drizzly mists? Lord's and Cardiff served up slow and low wickets and loads of sunshine but with the return of the typical English weather at Edgbaston, it was also a return to a typically English playing surface.


England's James Anderson celebrates the wicket of Australia's Mitchell Marsh on Day One of the third Ashes Test at Birmingham yesterday. Pic/Getty Images 

A decent covering of grass, fair bit of bounce and pace off the deck brought the bowlers back in to the contest. It brought indecisive footwork and tentative leaves outside off stump back from the Australian batsmen. It also brought England's most successful Test bowler ever — Jimmy Anderson — back from the wicketless outing at Lord's as well.