Sportsmail's Nasser Hussain rated the players' performances in the third Test after England hammered Australia by eight wickets to seize a 2-1 Ashes series lead.

England

Alastair Cook 6/10

Unlucky in the first innings when playing really well and got an absolute beauty second time. One thing he did well was lose the toss! Captained really well and realised quickly he had to be orthodox in his field settings. Earns credit for recall of Steven Finn and the way he used him.

Bails fly as England's Alastair Cook loses his wicket from Mitchell Starc's delivery for seven runs on day three

Adam Lyth 3/10

Continues to struggle. Poor shot in the first innings flashing at a wide one led to his second innings dismissal trying to cover balls he had been getting out to. That’s the game at the highest level. Important catch of Michael Clarke but under pressure for his place now.

Ian Bell 8.5/10

Came in under immense pressure but batting order looked so much better with positive right-hander at three. Played beautifully at a great tempo both times and two half centuries in low scoring Test an excellent return.

Joe Root and Ian Bell embrace after hitting the winning runs and wrapping up an eight-wicket England victory

Joe Root 8.5/10

Similar to Bell. Runs in both innings and looked comfortable with move to four as he will be when Bell eventually retires and he goes up to three. Just got tempo right and a fabulous player to watch. Great catch on Friday and a superstar cricketer in the making.

Jonny Bairstow 4/10

Couldn’t do anything with that delivery in his only innings. Absolute rip-snorter from Mitchell Johnson which showed, as if Bairstow didn’t know, the difference between county and Test cricket, even in first division.

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson leaps into the air (left) having dismissed Jonny Bairstow on day two

Ben Stokes 5/10

Another unplayable delivery from Johnson and wasn’t required to bowl for much of game because top three seamers were so good. For England to win comfortably with Stokes doing little is a great effort.

Jos Buttler 6/10

His keeping was excellent, even though he dropped one down the legside on Thursday night. Took two good ones on Friday but only one given. A bit dopey. Would like him to be a bit tougher. Walking off here when he could have reviewed a decision that was proved to be wrong was naive. He’s a nice lad but, come on Jos, be a bit more street-wise.

Moeen Ali 8/10

Even though he didn’t look secure at first during his half century his runs in that partnership with Stuart Broad and his batting with the tail was spot on. That 87 run partnership put the game beyond Australia. Still plenty to work on with his bowling. Maybe should have a word with Shane Warne about getting more over spin on the ball.

Opening day hero Jimmy Anderson (right) was back in the wickets on Thursday, taking David Warner

Stuart Broad 8/10

Runs and wickets in the game and an absolutely vital presence when the going gets tough. He’s one I’d always like to go into battle with. Revels in pressure situations and now just one wicket away from 300. He’s right up there with the great bowlers of England.

Steven Finn 9.5/10

Just a magnificent comeback. Couldn’t happen to a nicer bloke and deserves all the praise he gets. After all the problems he has had and the hard work he has put in to overcome them, to deliver like that in such a high intensity game was remarkable.

Jimmy Anderson 9.5/10

Match winning performance on day one. That’s what you want from your senior bowler when you’re under pressure and there’s a bit of grass on the pitch. Very clever way he quickly realised it was a day for seam not swing and to execute his plan was magnificent. Injury a huge blow to England.

Steven Finn leads England from the field after taking 6-79 as Australia were bowled out for 265 at Edgbaston

Australia

Chris Rogers 7/10

Played very well in the first innings, the only Australian to stand up and show how to bat in English conditions after his time with Middlesex. Proved you could bat on this pitch on day one.

David Warner 7/10

Second innings was typical Warner, the way he took the attack to England with really fluent batting rather than slogging was proper cricket. He’s a very fine player who can take the game away and looks in good form now.

Australia opener David Warner strikes away at a delivery during a typically robust second innings

Steve Smith 3/10

Added to the view that when the ball moves around in England No3 is not the place for him to bat. Still got a bit to work on in his game in these conditions. It’s not an easy job against Dukes ball but still a major threat.

Michael Clarke 2/10

Batting after winning the toss was understandable having had Shane Warne in his ear for 10 years about bowling first here 10 years ago. The pitch was so dry on Friday that if England had to chase 250 it would have been difficult. What will really concern Clarke is his form and very unlike him to drop a catch. If Australia are going to win the Ashes they need their captain to fire.

Australia's captain Clarke leaves the field after failing with the bat again having endured a miserable Test

Adam Voges 2/10

Place under huge threat. Couple of soft dismissals, particularly in first innings during his partnership with Rogers. Decent ball second time but could have left it on length and line.

Mitch Marsh 3/10

Poor shot in first innings and no runs in either. Looks a bit robotic as a batsman, like Shane Watson was before him, but a bit better bowler than I thought he was. Pitched it up and gave his captain a bit of control.

Peter Nevill 7/10

Lot of people said they should have stuck with Brad Haddin which wasn’t his fault and he had a very good game. Showed a bit of old-fashioned Test batting and gutsed it out. Keeping throughout excellent again.

Mitchell Johnson passed 300 Test wickets for his country, proving his bowling can still be Box office viewing

Mitchell Johnson 8/10

Magnificent for the game of cricket. Box office in this Ashes and the deliveries he bowled to get Bairstow and Stokes were magnificent. The Ashes are not over while he is around because he can turn a session and any Test around in an instant.

Mitchell Starc 6/10

Continues to take wickets but he will admit he’s not quite at his best. Sprays it around a bit and has to use the crease a bit better. If he can control that swing at Trent Bridge he will be a real threat.

Josh Hazlewood 5/10

Got wickets but again not at his best. Bowls too straight to Alastair Cook with the new ball, allowing him to clip to leg, and needs to adjust his line. You’d think he’d be the one to give Clarke control in English conditions.

Nathan Lyon 8/10