Birmingham: The third Ashes Test at Edgbaston has hurtled headlong towards a fast finish, in just two days. On a slightly challenging wicket but not an unplayable one by any stretch of the imagination, the modern batsmen and their carefree attitude towards batsmanship has ensured not all five days will be required to settle this contest. In fact, even the flatter wickets of Lord's and Cardiff couldn't make the Test enter the fifth day.

Even as Test matches unfold over hours and sessions and days, there are brief passages of time that determine the outcome of the contest. Such was the case on Day Two in Birmingham. Resuming play after a day where England's batsmen and bowlers completely outplayed them, Australia needed inspiration from somewhere to claw their way back in to the Test.