ENGLAND: England’s victory over Australia in the thrilling third Ashes Test at Headingley kept their Ashes hopes alive. The match saw Harry Brook’s impressive innings of 75 runs and the crucial contributions from the recalled duo of Chris Woakes and Mark Wood, leading to a three-wicket win for England. This result reduced Australia’s series lead to 2-1 with two Tests remaining.
On the fourth day, England found themselves in a challenging position at 171-6, still requiring 80 runs to achieve a target of 251, after Mitchell Starc dismissed skipper Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow in quick succession after lunch. However, Harry Brook and Chris Woakes formed a vital partnership of 59 runs that brought England closer to victory.
Brook’s temperament was tested, but the 24-year-old batsman showcased both talent and composure for the most part. When Brook fell for 75, caught by Australia captain Pat Cummins off Starc’s bowling, England still needed 21 runs for victory.
Fast bowler Mark Wood, who had performed well with the ball earlier, played a crucial role with the bat, reducing the target to 12 runs by hitting a six off Cummins. Wood continued his slogging, hitting Starc for a boundary, and eventually remained unbeaten on 16.
Chris Woakes, not out on 32, sealed the victory for England with a boundary off Starc, while Wood joked about his batting position at number nine.
England now has the opportunity to become the second team in history to win a Test series after being 2-0 down, following the 1936–37 Australian team led by Don Bradman that won the Ashes 3-2.
England’s chase in the third Test started on the rain-marred third day at 27-0 after Australia was dismissed for 224 in their second innings. Despite a promising opening partnership of 42 runs, Ben Duckett was dismissed lbw by Starc for 23.
Moeen Ali, sent in at number three after Brook’s early departure in the first innings, fell for five when he was bowled by Starc. Zak Crawley made a fluent 44 but was caught behind on the next delivery after hitting a stylish four.
Joe Root, the in-form batsman, was dismissed for 21, gloving Cummins’ delivery to Alex Carey just before lunch. Stokes, who had played a crucial innings in England’s first innings, could only manage 13 runs before his dismissal, leaving England at 161-5. Bairstow got an inside edge off Starc’s delivery, which was dragged on his stumps, leaving England for 171-6.
Chris Woakes, who had previously rescued England in a run chase against Pakistan, partnered with Harry Brook effectively, leading England to victory. England will now aim to build on this win and stage a comeback in the series.
Earlier, Australia scored 263 runs in their first innings, and it was studded by Mitchell Marsh’s lone-fought 118. Mark Wood, coming back from injury, displayed an outstanding performance and scalped a 5-wicket haul.
England, in their first innings, were all out for 237. This score became possible due to skipper Stokes’ brilliant inning of 80. On the other hand, Aussie skipper Cummins took a 6-wicket haul to bundle England down.
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