Michael Clarke averages a disappointing 19 in the series so far. (Source: Reuters)

Michael Clarke conceded his side’s middle-order woes were down to his poor form with the bat and vowed to get among the runs in the last two Ashes Tests after Australia lost the third match on Friday to trail England 2-1.

Clarke, dismissed twice by Steven Finn at Edgbaston, is averaging just under 19 for the series with a highest score of 38 and has made only one Test century in the last 15 months.

“The captain is due to get off the plane, that’s the plan for the next Test match,” he told reporters.

“I can’t put my finger on it. It’s always about my preparation. If I do the hard work, that’s gives me the self-belief. England have bowled well at me and got me out early.”

Australia’s top three of Chris Rogers, the leading scorer in the series on either side, David Warner and Steve Smith have made sizeable contributions.

But Clarke’s indifferent form has been matched by Adam Voges at five, with dropped all-rounder Shane Watson and his replacement Mitchell Marsh also failing to make an impact.

The selection of the 35-year-old Voges for his first Ashes series on the back of scoring heavily in domestic cricket and a memorable Test debut has not worked out.

Voges scored a maiden century in June against West Indies but has endured a miserable series in England, averaging a paltry 14.6 with a highest score of 31 in six innings.

“If you bat at four you have to lead the way in scoring runs and if I do then I know Voges will follow,” said Clarke, who could drop down to bat at five in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge starting on Thursday.

“My self-belief is still there. The stats show I’ve performed better at five than four. It’s about what’s best for the team.

“I need to turn my form around because at the moment we are playing with 10 players. The number four has not turned up. I need to find a way to score runs. I will prepare hard and keep the faith it will happen in the middle.”

Warner, who top-scored for Australia at Edgbaston with 77 in the second innings, has every confidence that Clarke will bounce back.

“He’s a world-class player. At the moment things are not going too well for him,” Warner said.

“We’ve seen our top order and middle order score plenty of runs before. We have to try and dig deep and be patient.”

Rickie Lambert was part of England’s World Cup squad in Brazil and earned a move to Liverpool, but struggled to claim a regular place. (Source: Reuters)

Rickie Lambert has left Liverpool after a solitary season at Anfield to join West Bromwich Albion on a two-year deal, the clubs said on Friday.

Lambert, who has 11 caps for England, leaves Merseyside for an undisclosed fee, estimated to be around 3 million pounds ($4.7 million), according to British media reports.

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The forward never established himself at Liverpool, scoring only three times in 36 appearances, and had fallen down the pecking order following the arrivals of strikers Christian Benteke, Divock Origi and Danny Ings in the close season.

“Rickie is a good, strong, solid player who is a great character, good in the dressing-room and good on the pitch,” West Brom manager Tony Pulis told the club website.

“We are very pleased to have him on board.

“He’s a player of great pedigree and we look forward to integrating him into our squad.”

Lambert, 33, started his career in Liverpool’s academy and, after spells at several lower league clubs, joined Southampton where he scored 117 goals in five seasons, including 28 in two campaigns in the Premier League.

He was part of England’s World Cup squad in Brazil and earned a move to Liverpool, but struggled to claim a regular place at Anfield despite the club’s struggles up front last season.

He was frequently left on the bench as Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers often chose to use Raheem Sterling in a lone centre forward role, even though it was not his preferred position.

He is likely to get far more first-team opportunities under Pulis, whose side begin their Premier League campaign at Manchester City on Aug. 10.

BIRMINGHAM, July 31 (Reuters) - Michael Clarke conceded his side's middle-order woes were down to his poor form with the bat and vowed to get among the runs in the last two Ashes tests after Australia lost the third match on Friday to trail England 2-1.

BIRMINGHAM, July 31 (Reuters) - England would love to regain the Ashes in the next test at Trent Bridge but the loss of leading bowler James Anderson to injury is a disappointment they must overcome, captain Alastair Cook said.

Ian Bell and Joe Root stitched a steady partnership. (Source: AP)

Ian Bell, under pressure due string of poor scores with the bat, silenced his critics with a composed unbeaten 65-run knock which helped England seal the third Ashes Test, take 2-1 lead.

Bell came into bat at No.3 and was very aggressive in his approach. The right-hander found the fence regularly early in his innings and put the Aussies, defending a modest total, under pressure. After Bell’s effort, Twitter lavished praise on the right-hander. Here’s a look at who said what:

BOOM – @Ian_Bell & @finnysteve on amazing performances! Legends! 2-1 is great score! Would be 3-0 if KP was playing… #BUZZING #Ashes2015

— Kevin Pietersen (@NotKP24) July 31, 2015

Ian Bell’s average at number three in the 2015 Ashes – 105 #BetterThanBradman — Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) July 31, 2015

The performances of @finnysteve and Ian Bell in this test under massive pressure simply cannot be overstated. Huge plaudits to both #class

— Graeme Swann (@Swannyg66) July 31, 2015

Well done @Ian_Bell!! Never in doubt son! 😉 #UTV #Ashes http://t.co/lWquZqE46m — Ian Taylor (@IanTaylor7) July 31, 2015

BOOOOOOM! Brilliant win England. Brilliant batting by @Ian_Bell. #Ashes

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 31, 2015

Right approach from the local boy. Attack. @Ian_Bell #Ashes2015

— Gautam Bhimani (@gbhimani) July 31, 2015

Ian Bell scored a composed 65 to steer England to win in the third Ashes Test. (Source: Reuters)

Ian Bell, under enormous pressure after a poor run of form and promoted to number three in the order, answered his critics in emphatic fashion with a composed unbeaten 65 to steer England to victory in the third Ashes Test on Friday.

Calls for the 33-year-old to be dropped mounted after he failed twice in the second Test at Lord’s and although he scored a fluent 53 in the first innings at Edgbaston, Bell was pilloried for the reckless stroke that brought his downfall.

The right-hander arrived at the crease on his home ground with England, chasing 121 for victory, on 11 for one following the dismissal of captain Alastair Cook.

Bell immediately went on the attack, clipping his first ball sweetly to the square leg boundary and taking responsibility in a partnership with inexperienced opener Adam Lyth.

He was badly dropped on 20 by Australia captain Michael Clarke but, after Lyth had departed for 12, Bell and Joe Root calmly guided their side home by eight wickets.

Cook never had any doubts about his team mate who has scored 7,545 runs in 113 Tests, including 22 centuries.

“Class is permanent, Ian Bell is a fantastic cricketer, but we’ve got to keep backing the right horses and trust me, Ian Bell is one of them,” Cook told reporters.

“It couldn’t be more fitting for Belly to be walking off in his home Test match 60 odd not out to win a game.

“We know he’s a fine player, he had a bit of a tough time but everyone in history has a bit of a tough time. He’s absolute class and it was a pleasure to watch him,” Cook added.

BIRMINGHAM, July 31 (Reuters) - Ian Bell, under enormous pressure after a poor run of form and promoted to number three in the order, answered his critics in emphatic fashion with a composed unbeaten 65 to steer England to victory in the third Ashes test on Friday.