SCOREBOARD

Despite falling six runs short of a maiden Test century, the opener almost certainly booked his place alongside Rory Burns at the top of the order as England took a firm grip of proceedings.

Making best use of a sloppy all-round display from Australia, England batted all day, stretching their lead to 382 at the close, finishing on 313-8.

Openers have proved a problem for selectors since Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss last played in 2012 with a dozen tried before Burns and Denly came together.

And while neither could be said to have nailed down the position, they have impressed enough this series to book spots for New Zealand and South Africa this winter.

This was a day of patient accumulation for England and one aided by a catalogue of blunders from Australia as the match slipped from their hands.

Denly made best use of his gifts. Having been dropped before he had a single Predictably, given a charge sheet for Paine which shows

15 incorrect challenges in the series – so bad only one of which he retained – replays showed it slamming into the stump.

Burns, who edged Nathan Lyon to Paine for 20, secured his winter work with a century on his first attempt in the first innings at Edgbaston. Denly has had to wait until the last to make his play.

A tendency to flash at anything wide has left doubts but yesterday he produced a more disciplined display outside off stump.

He was not alone in impressing either as England took control with Ben Stokes hitting 67 to ensure he finished leading series runs scorer for his side and Jos Buttler again looking fluid. Stokes and Denly added

127 for the third wicket while Buttler shepherded the tail well again, arriving when Denly left at 222-4