Australia held on to force the third Ashes test into a third day, limping to stumps at 168-7 in the second innings for a 23-run lead on Thursday.
Peter Nevill was undefeated on 37 with Mitchell Starc not out 7. At 111/6 with 27 overs left in the day, the match looked like being the first Ashes test to finish in two days since 1921 at Trent Bridge.
But Peter Nevill and Mitchell Johnson came up with a stubborn 42-run partnership, the only resistance after opener David Warner’s rapid 77, including a 35-ball 50.
Steven Finn did the damage for England with 5/45. Earlier, Australia dismissed England for 281, with Joe Root hitting 63 and Moeen Ali 59.
Australia was 87-4 after 20 overs of its second innings, still needing another 58 runs to avoid an innings defeat at Edgbaston. The last Ashes test to finish in two days was in 1921 at Trent Bridge.
In the second over after tea, Finn claimed the wickets of Australia captain Michael Clarke for 3 and Adam Voges on a golden duck.
Australia’s hopes rest with David Warner, who smashed a 35-ball 50 and was unbeaten on 66. England was all out for a better-than-expected 281 about an hour into the middle session.
Joe Root got a speedy 63, but Australia was sensing a short chase with England on 190-7 and only the bowlers left.
But Stuart Broad joined Moeen Ali and they cracked 56 off nine overs, and shared a 77-run, eighth-wicket partnership. Broad was out for 31 and Ali for 59.
Mitchell Johnson, who took out Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes, became the fifth Australian to take 300 test wickets.
Brief Scores
Australia: 136 and 168/7 (David Warner 77, Peter Nevill 37 not out; Steven Finn 5/45) lead England: 281 (Joe Root 63, Moeen Ali 59, Ian Bell 53; Nathan lyon 3-36, Josh Hazelwood 3-74) by 23 runs.