Ian Bell and Jimmy Anderson have given England complete control of the third Ashes Test, with Australia skittled for 136 on day one.

The topsy-turvy nature of the series continued on Wednesday at Edgbaston, where Anderson snared 6-57.

Bell followed up Anderson’s greatest Ashes figures with a polished knock of 53 to leave the hosts sitting pretty at 3-133.

• ‘Putting family first’ cost Haddin his place: Ponting
• This is the secret to Josh Hazlewood’s success
• England’s scars won’t heal in time: Rodney Hogg

Josh Hazlewood removed Adam Lyth for 10, while Nathan Lyon snagged the scalps of Bell and Alastair Cook.

Chris Rogers was the only Australian batsman to hold his own, making 52. Photo: Getty

But the runs came quickly and freely as Australia’s pacemen struggled to match Anderson’s masterclass.

England would have taken a first-innings lead if not for wet weather, with stumps called after the day’s fourth rain interruption.

Australia haven’t suffered the embarrassment of giving up a lead on day one since the 2010 Boxing Day Test, when England rolled them for 98 en route to the victory that ensured they’d retain the urn.

There is a long way to go in this Test but based on day one it’s hard to see how Australia avoid going down 2-1 in the current five-match series.

Australia levelled the series at Lord’s but the momentum generated from that 405-run victory evaporated in the space of an hour at Edgbaston.

Michael Clarke won the toss but ceded control almost straight after.

England needed only three bowlers and 36.4 overs to end Australia’s first innings.

The tourists collapsed to 3-34 then recovered to be 3-72 at lunch on day one.

But Anderson scuppered thoughts of a genuine fightback, snaring 4-7 in the space of 19 balls.

Ian Bell made 53 off 56 balls before falling to Nathan Lyon late in the day. Photo: Getty

It was a magnificent display of swing and seam movement, coupled with some questionable shot selection – or lack of selection in the case of Adam Voges and Peter Nevill.

Voges attempted to leave a wide delivery but failed to get his bat out of the way and was caught behind for 16.

Nevill was out for two when he shouldered arms to a ball that kissed the top of off stump.

Mitch Marsh and Mitchell Johnson fell for zero and three amid the carnage.

The tail wagged to ensure Australia passed 118, the total they were skittled for at the same venue in 1997.

Fittingly, Anderson ended the innings when Lyon played on.

Chris Rogers, a picture of composure during the collapse, was trapped lbw by Stuart Broad on 52.

The 37-year-old, who had been in doubt for the clash after retiring hurt in the second Test due to a dizzy spell, showed the grit required.

However, he received scant support.

– AAP