Ashes 3rd Test: England complete a thrilling chase to storm back

Ashes 2023 continued its breathtaking action as England resumed their second innings on Day 4 of the third Test at Headingley Leeds. Zak Crawley (9*) and Ben Duckett (18*) took England’s innings forward from 27/0 needing another 224 runs to win. The duo extended their stand to 42 before Mitchell Starc drew first blood for Australia, dismissing Duckett (23) and Moeen Ali (5).

Crawley batted positively for his 44 (55), however, his innings was cut short by Mitchell Marsh, leaving England 93/3. Pat Cummins got rid of Joe Root for the third consecutive time in the series, getting him caught down the leg side for 21 as England lost their fourth wicket on 131.

The game which was hanging in balance at lunch was shifted in Australia’s favour by Starc who got the prized scalps of Ben Stokes (13) and Jonny Bairstow (5) with still 80 away from keeping the series alive. With his side in trouble, Harry Brook (75 off 93) added 59 runs for the seventh wicket with Chris Woakes to bring his side to the cusp of victory.

Following Brook’s dismissal, Woakes (32*) and Mark Wood (16* off 8) took England over the line as they won the match by three wickets to stay in the hunt of securing the honours with two Tests to go.

Here are the talking points from Day 4:

1. Mitchell Starc’s fiery spell

The left-arm seamer continued his brilliant form from the second Test and provided his side with crucial breakthroughs throughout the day. Starc first got rid of Duckett and Moeen Ali to give his side early success in the day. He later returned to get big wickets of Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes and Harry Brook to bring Australia back into the game. Starc finished his spell with figures of 5/78 in 16 overs, however, his effort was not enough to stop England.

2. Harry Brook’s gritty knock

The 24-year-old showed great composure and held the innings together with his sublime knock of 75 off 93 balls. During the course of his innings, he also became the fastest player to reach the 1000-run mark in Tests in terms of balls faced (1058 balls). Brook smacked nine fours and brought his team to the verge of victory before being dismissed at the last moment. However, he ensured that the larger part of the target was shaved off after Starc pushed England in a ditch.

3. Mark Wood’s cameo steers England home

Wood walked in to bat with England needing 21 runs to win with three wickets in hand. The tailender scored 16 off just 8 balls, smashing one four and a six in his innings and took his side home along with Chris Woakes at a time when another wicket might as well have left England ruing with a loss in a game that had become theirs to lose.