England vs. Australia: 1st Ashes Test Day 3 Takeaways

Day 3 of the first Test between England and Australia saw the game move on at breakneck pace, as the away side have now been set 412 to win.

The Baggy Green were bowled out in their first innings for 308, then England managed 289 all out to set up what could be a very interesting last two days as Australia chase victory.

With so much action, there are plenty of talking points, so let’s get straight to it.

Seamers stay disciplined for England

Australia began the day on 264 for five, with Shane Watson at the crease, Brad Haddin still to come and the likes of Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson also capable of swinging the bat.

With the old ball, England needed to be consistent before the new ball became available a few overs into the morning, and they managed to do so.

Stuart Broad, Mark Wood and Ben Stokes all impressed as they restricted Australia well and removed nightwatchman Lyon.

Then, when the new ball became available, James Anderson was on hand to work his magic.

He removed Haddin and Starc—with Broad getting Johnson in between—to leave Australia 308 all out, having added just 44 runs and lost five wickets in a gripping morning.

It was a just reward for an England seam attack that put their opponents on the back foot immediately and kept them there.

Ian Bell returns to something approaching his best

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It has been a difficult time for Ian Bell recently, and it continued in the first innings as he made just one run before being trapped lbw by Starc.

However, second time around he looked in much better form as he hit 60 from 89 balls and got some momentum in England’s second innings.

He hit 11 fours in what was a very effective time at the crease, although he will also be disappointed to be dismissed without having compiled a century.

Apart from his 143 against the West Indies in North Sound earlier this year, Bell’s highest score in Tests in 2015 was 29 before this game.

He was also dismissed six times for single figures, and he had a poor time of it against New Zealand earlier this summer.

In the crucial position at four, Bell could well be back to his best, although only time will tell.

Is Gary Ballance’s spot in danger?

One position above Bell in the batting order, Gary Ballance again failed as he was dismissed for a seven-ball duck, an effort that may well raise questions again.

Ballance had a poor time of it against New Zealand but looked to be doing well in the first innings in Cardiff as he made 61.

However, he was removed by Josh Hazlewood for the second time in the match in the first over after lunch, as he edged one behind to wicketkeeper Haddin.

Ballance had a strong start to his first year in Test cricket and should not be in danger of being dropped just yet.

He will want a big score soon though, so he can silence any doubters.

Were England too aggressive?

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Throughout their second innings, England maintained a run rate well over four runs per over. It's an indication of their aggression, but they will regret being out for just 289 on the third day.

Their batsmen almost all looked in pretty good touch, with the majority getting starts, but they were guilty of giving wickets away too cheaply.

That manifested itself in a worrying batting collapse that saw them lose four wickets for 38 runs in just over nine overs and leave the tailenders horribly exposed.

Wood saved some face for his side with an enterprising cameo of 32 not out from 18 balls, but he may well raise questions of why his team-mates could not stay at the crease longer.

A target of 412 will be steep for Australia, especially on a Cardiff pitch that is slow and exhibiting some signs of uneven bounce.

However, with so much time remaining in the game—even with rain threatened for Sunday—England should maybe have pushed for an even bigger score in their second innings.