James Anderson takes six as Australia skittled for 136!

England paceman James Anderson ripped shellshocked Australia to shreds with six wickets to bowl the tourists out for a paltry 136 on the first day of the third Ashes test at Edgbaston on Wednesday.

Anderson took six for 47 and fellow quicks Stuart Broad and Steven Finn, on his test return after a two-year absence, two apiece as rejuvenated England put their heavy second test defeat at Lord's firmly behind them.

In gathering gloom, England were 133 for the loss of three wickets before rain forced the players off. England lost Adam Lyth early but Alastair Cook and Ian Bell rebuild the innings as the Australian bowlers failed to make quick breakthroughs. 

Nathan Lyon got the England skipper as Bell threw his wicket away after reaching his fifty.

Earlier, only plucky opener Chris Rogers, passed fit after suffering dizzy spells at Lord's, offered resistance with a half-century for Australia who failed to cope with the seam and swing-friendly conditions after winning the toss and batting first.

Rogers was eighth man out for 52, lbw to Broad, and Anderson fittingly took the final wicket when Nathan Lyon played on as Australia were dismissed in just 36.4 overs.

Anderson, who went wicketless in London where Australia squared the series with a 405-run victory after losing the opener in Cardiff, took four wickets in 19 balls after lunch.

His quickfire burst started when he had Adam Voges caught behind for 16. Mitchell Marsh (0) also nicked a swinging delivery to Jos Buttler and then Peter Nevill's bad misjudgement saw him bowled for two without offering a shot.

England's leading wicket-taker in tests then bagged his 18th five-wicket haul when Mitchell Johnson (3) sliced to Ben Stokes at fifth slip.

Australia lost three wickets in a rain-interrupted morning with Finn, branded "unelectable" by former England limited overs coach Ashley Giles 18 months ago due to a breakdown in his bowling action, took the scalps of Steve Smith (7) and skipper Michael Clarke (10).

After Anderson had given England a flying start by trapping David Warner (2) lbw, Finn, recalled in place of an unfit Mark Wood, found bounce and movement on the quickest pitch of the series so far.

Quickly working up a head of steam, Finn made an immediate impact when he got Smith to nick to Alastair Cook at first slip with the last ball of his first over.

He then bowled Clarke with a full and straight delivery to leave Australia reeling on 38-3 before Rogers and Voges held firm until lunch.