An inspirational five wicket haul from Ben Stokes has sent England into day three at Trent Bridge tomorrow with one hand on the Ashes urn and three wickets away from making history.

The Durham all-rounder took five for 35 on day two of the fourth Test, meaning the most historic of sporting contests is likely to be decided in England’s favour in Nottingham for the first time ever.

Facing a first innings deficit of 331 after Alastair Cook declared England’s innings shortly before lunch at 391-9, Australia closed on 241-7 in their second innings, still trailing England by 90.

Although the tourists started their second innings positively with Chris Rogers (52) and David Warner (64) posting 113 for the first wicket, Stokes reaped his rewards for bowling quickly and with prodigious swing to take three wickets for four runs in a 13 delivery afternoon burst.

Stokes then took two of the further three wickets to fall during the evening session, meaning nothing short of a miracle will save Australia from the inevitable tomorrow

Starting the day on 274-4, England began the morning positively with night watchman Mark Wood (28) striking a succession of boundaries off Mitchell Johnson, whose four over morning spell cost 27 runs.

Overnight centurion Joe Root was first to go 25 minutes into the day as he nicked a Mitchell Starc delivery behind to depart for 130.

The Aussie left-armer completed his five wicket haul by cartwheeling Wood’s off-stump. And although Jos Buttler began his innings with a trio of crisp boundaries, the Lancashire wicketkeeper was bowled by a Starc in-swinger, meaning the Aussie quick had taken three wickets for five runs in recording his six wicket haul.

If Starc had eyes on a nine-wicket haul, Josh Hazlewood and Ben Stokes hadn’t read the script. The Durham all-rounder attempted to whip a leg-side delivery but could only succeed in feathering it through to Peter Nevill.

With the security of a lead approaching 300, Ali and Broad went typically on the offensive, handing Hazlewood some particularly rough treatment in an over that cost 20.

Ali eventually perished to Johnson courtesy of a fine slip catch by Steven Smith, shortly after which England declared, leaving Australia - trailing by 331 - with three overs to bat until lunch.

They survived that original examination unscathed and Rogers escaped an lbw appeal to Wood shortly after the interval.

Rogers and Warner posted half-centuries in 78 and 64 balls respectively as the first wicket partnership breezed past 100. The triple wicket burst from Ben Stokes, however, put a prospective two day finish right back on the agenda.

The Durham all-rounder removed Rogers first for 52, with Joe Root clinging on with one hand at third slip.

Two overs later David Warner was rushed by a short one with the leading edge being taken by Broad at mid-on.

And, when Shaun Marsh prodded at a wide delivery, handing Root a far simpler chance, Stokes had taken 3 for 4 in 13 deliveries.

Even when he wasn’t bowling there was no way of keeping the 24-year-old out of the game. Broad bowled, Steven Smith (5) sliced to short point, Stokes clung on and drew the loudest roar of the afternoon as he flung the ball high in the air in celebration.

Australia took Tea at 136-4 having lost all their wickets in a crazy 21 minutes prior to the interval.

Michael Clarke and Adam Voges dug in for 45 minutes of the evening session before the Australia captain nicked Wood to first slip. Cook, perhaps distracted by the possibility of getting his hands on the urn, fumbled the chance, but parried it into the hands of Ian Bell who completed the dismissal.

The England skipper easy plucked the next opportunity to come his way after Nevill presented the chance off Finn. However, for the second time in the day after Rogers was saved earlier in the day by the over-stepping Wood, an Australia batsman was reprieved via technology proving it was a no-ball.

Adam Voges, formerly of Nottinghamshire, needed every bit of his skill, experience and venue familiarity to close on 48 not out having faced 91 balls and struck seven fours.

His sixth wicket partnership with Nevill (17) added 50 before the Australia wicketkeeper was lbw shouldering arms to Stokes with nine overs to go.

Mitchell Johnson (5) was caught by Cook at slip shortly before bad light brought a premature end, ensuring that Stokes had the fitting final say ahead of a third day when history beckons.