What England must do to stop Aussie momentum for 3rd Ashes Test

Therefore, the one man that should finally be dropped is Bell, as the 33-year-old has managed just one half century in his last 12 Test innings, with seven of those being out for 1 or less.

So, in order to beef up the top order – the average partnership for the first three wickets since 2013 is 33.3 – it might be an idea to push England’s best batsman by far Joe Root up to number three and find a replacement for Bell.

Legendary former Australian skipper and number three Ricky Ponting certainly thinks so. “He was a county opening batsman when he was picked for England,” he said on Root. “He would have a technique that would stand up to No 3 in international cricket.

“It’s what’s best for the team. Australia probably had a similar situation over the last three or four years with Michael Clarke – he predominantly batted at No 5. I know that, when I was captain, I moved him up to No 4 because I knew that was his natural progression to move higher up the order.

“When he became captain he didn’t have a good run at No 4 so moved himself back down and had a great couple of seasons. So there are certain players who are suited to certain positions.”

With that in mind, Ballance would need to be shifted to four or five, though he has only played in the latter position for England once.

His Yorkshire teammate wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow should be the man to replace Bell as a batsman, after his impressive recent form.

Bairstow has yet to really impress for England on the Test scene, with a top score of 95 and 26.95 average from his 14 matches. However, he has certainly kicked on for his county, and he recently helped his country to win a recent ODI series against the Kiwis after his super unbeaten hit of 83.

For Yorkshire, he only just recorded a smashing County Championship 139 off 183 balls against Worcestershire batting at number five, and could potentially do a job there for England too in the 3rd Test at Edgbaston.

Meanwhile, in the bowling department, Stuart Broad has impressed most, as he usually does in Ashes series, but his partner in crime James Anderson will need to improve after taking just three wickets to so far.

It is almost certain that Anderson will keep his place, but there may be a switch for Mark Wood, with the likes of Mark Footitt, Steven Finn and Liam Plunkett waiting in the wings. Left armers, Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc, for the Aussies in particular have caused problems for the hosts this series, so Derbyshire’s Footitt could get his debut.

In the spinning department, meanwhile, Moeen Ali’s place should be safe after being steady with both bat and bowl, but fellow all-rounder Adil Rashid will be waiting to pounce on any slip-up.

New England coach Trevor Bayliss certainly gave a brutal assessment of his side’s display, saying: “It was pants down and backsides smacked. We were outplayed in this game. It’s never a great start when they’re 300-1 and we were always chasing the game from there.”

The Australian did not rule out changes either, and added: “It’s on the mind of anyone when the team is not playing like you would like. Those things are always in the back of the coach’s and selectors’ minds.

“There are some good players on the outside and we’ve got a selection meeting. I’m not going to speculate on what exactly will happen until Tuesday.” Before strongly hinting: “Every innings we’ve been 4-30 or 4-40… I suppose that’s always a concern.”

England are now 7/2 shouts to win the series, while a draw (11/2) will be enough for 4/9 odds-on favourites Australia to hold on to the Ashes. The victors are 10/11 to triumph at Edgbaston, meanwhile.