Harry Brook might have taken the crown as the new hero of Headingley after his 75 steered England towards a thrilling victory against Australia, but there were more twists to come before the home side kept the Ashes series alive.
Cricket matches in Leeds have a tendency to go down to the wire, and this was no exception. The hosts looked to be closing in on a memorable victory when Brook was caught out off Mitchell Starc for 75, and England still needing 21 to win.
Mark Wood and Chris Woakes then carried England over the line – with Wood hitting 16 runs from eight balls to spark dramatic scenes of celebration.
Having started the day on 27-0, needing another 224 to win, it looked as though the momentum was with Ben Stokes’ side. From 42 without loss, England had slid to 173 for six, and crucially, Stokes, who orchestrated the miracle four years ago, was out.
When Stokes went for 13, a lot of the country’s hopes went with him, but Brook’s stunning innings got England within touching distance before Wood and Woakes dragged the side back into contention in the Ashes series.
Follow all the live action from Headingley as England face Australia:
England vs Australia – third Ashes Test, day four
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Harry Brook leads England to victory at Headingley as Ashes series still in the balance
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England defeat Australia by three wickets at Headingley to keep Ashes series alive
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OUT! Brook ct Cummins b Starc 75 (93) – Is there a twist in the tale?
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200 up! Harry Brook takes one to move England within 50 runs of victory
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50! Harry Brook pulls away Pat Cummins to bring up a half-century
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OUT! Bairstow b Starc 5 (8) – Starc strikes once more to reignite Australia’s hopes
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OUT! Stokes ct Carey b Starc 13 (15) – The momentum swings again as the England captain falls
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OUT! Root ct Carey b Cummins 21 (33) – Cummins fights back for Australia with a huge wicket
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100 up! England reach three figures with a glorious drive from Harry Brook
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OUT! Crawley ct Carey b Marsh 44 (55) – The third test is on a knife edge as England lose another
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OUT! Moeen b Starc 5 (15) – Moeen’s promotion up the order hasn’t worked for England
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OUT! Duckett lbw Starc 23 (31) – England lose first wicket in pursuit of 251
Harry Brook leads England to victory at Headingley as Ashes series still in the balance
Sunday 9 July 2023 16:17 , Mike Jones
Harry Brook came close to taking the crown as the new hero of Headingley, hitting 75 runs to steer England towards a thrilling victory as they kept the Ashes alive with a three-wicket victory over Australia.
When Moeen Ali said that England needed to rely on other players than Ben Stokes, it laid the foundation for someone else to step up, and on the final day of another thrilling Headingley Test match, that man was Brook.
For the seventh wicket, having been 171 for six, Brook and Chris Woakes put on a match-winning 50 runs, and the latter was still there at the end to see his side over the line.
Harry Brook leads England to Ashes victory in third test at Headingley
‘Nervous’ Ben Stokes admitted he did not watch the conclusion of England’s winning run chase
Sunday 9 July 2023 17:56 , Mike Jones
Ben Stokes admitted he was ‘nervous’ at the end and unable to watch the final 20 deliveries as he praised the ‘amazing’ Harry Brook for his match-winning innings to keep the Ashes alive at Headingley.
Showing a maturity beyond his 24 years, and more experience than his 10 Test matches would suggest, Brook played the Test innings of his career, with his 75 a key deciding factor as England chased down 251 to secure a three-wicket victory.
The door was open from comments by Moeen Ali earlier in the week that England could not always rely on their talisman captain Ben Stokes, and as the hosts fought to keep the series alive in Leeds, it was local hero Brook who stepped up.
‘Nervous’ Stokes admitted he did not watch the conclusion of England’s run chase
England beat Australia by three wickets at Headingley
Sunday 9 July 2023 17:06 , Mike Jones
England beat Australia by three wickets at Headingley
Sunday 9 July 2023 16:54 , Mike Jones
Post match reaction from England captain, Ben Stokes, who told Sky Sports:
England beat Australia by three wickets at Headingley
Sunday 9 July 2023 16:47 , Mike Jones
Harry Brook talking to Sky Sports after England’s win at Headingley: “It’s a lot more nerve-wracking when you’re in the dressing room. I’m not one to blow up in the changing room but I had a little blow up today. I like getting us over the line and it was annoying that I didn’t today.
“Everyone erupted with the winning moment. Everyone was buzzing. It was tense for a little while but when Woody hit that six we knew it was on.
“Playing here in an Ashes Test was probably the best part to be honest. I’ll know a lot of people in the crowd and to do it in front of a home crowd was really nice.”
“Honestly that is the worse part about being a professional cricketer! Every single person messages you asking for a ticket. There were quite a few out there.
“We only needed about 20 [when he got out] and I had complete and utter faith in Woakesy and Woody. We saw the way he batted in the first innings. I had faith in him.”
England beat Australia by three wickets at Headingley
Sunday 9 July 2023 16:44 , Mike Jones
From a match-winning Ashes knock on your home ground, to signing autographs and taking selfies with the fans. Harry Brook’s having a great time at Headingley today.
England beat Australia by three wickets at Headingley
Sunday 9 July 2023 16:38 , Sonia Twigg
Stokes on Moeen Ali coming in at number three: “It was him actually it was Mo, he went to Baz last night saying he’d love to come in at three and he wanted to get at the Aussies and get out there.
“We thought it was a real good move, and I love that Mo was willing to get out there and help the team in a positive way.
“When I took the role on I wanted 10 selfless cricketers and Mo looking to take that role on is everything you want in a team.”
England beat Australia by three wickets at Headingley
Sunday 9 July 2023 16:37 , Mike Jones
England beat Australia by three wickets at Headingley
Sunday 9 July 2023 16:36 , Sonia Twigg
Ben Stokes on the victory: “Really big in the context of the series, we knew we needed to win this one to keep the hopes of winning the Ashes.”
The England captain added: “I think if you look at the first two games in terms of how tight they were, getting over the line in another tight game, mentally helped.
“You flip it round and we didn’t win this one it’s just like it wasn’t meant to be.
“(We’re) over the moon we won this one, but it’s just the start of what we’ve got to do.”
England beat Australia by three wickets at Headingley
Sunday 9 July 2023 16:33 , Mike Jones
Looking ahead, the next match at Old Trafford is set to be a cracker. All three games so far have been wonderfully, tense, close affairs.
There’s now 10 days for the teams to rest up and plan for the game. If England win in Manchester they’ll draw the series level at 2-2 with one to play.
Australia know a win at Old Trafford or The Oval will see them retain the Urn.
But, it’s a 50-50 contest. The team’s are so close in terms of quality that a result would be impossible to call before a ball has been bowled.
There’s questions to answer for both management groups. For Australia, they’ll think about replacing David Warner at the top, who plays between Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green?
For England, do they bring James Anderson back in? Will Ollie Pope and Ollie Robinson be fit? Is it time to reintroduce Ben Foakes to cut down on the dropped chances?
Lots to think about.
England beat Australia by three wickets at Headingley
Sunday 9 July 2023 16:25 , Mike Jones
After two test match defeats at Edgbaston and Lord’s, it’s all smiles for England following their victory at Headingley. Who will triumph at Old Trafford?
England beat Australia by three wickets at Headingley
Sunday 9 July 2023 16:20 , Mike Jones
England‘s Chris Woakes speaking to BBC Test Match Special: “What an amazing game to be a part of. Watching the first two Tests from side lines, we didn’t want to be 2-0 down but that’s how we found ourselves.
“We wanted to put in a good performance, it was up and down, but to be 2-1 going into Old Trafford and still in the series is a great place to be.
“It was tricky actually, coming up the hill at Headingley I don’t particularly enjoy it. I don’t normally get my rhythm but I got it quickly. The early wicket of Marnus [Labuschagne] settled me down, always good to get a big scalp like that.
“What you see is what you get with Harry [Brook], not much, he’s just laughing and joking around. It’s his way of staying clear, he’s a very good player, he’s got a calm head on his shoulders. His 75 was the difference, I wish he was there at the end.
“We’ve got a crazy spell in us, when me and Harry were there and got it down, their heads seemed to drop. There’s always twists in Ashes, when Woody went six then four, it calmed us.
“The fans have been fantastic, very similar to 2019 in terms of noise. The fans have been great, the same as Old Trafford. To win a game is big for the team, we’ll enjoy tonight but then regroup and go again.
England beat Australia by three wickets at Headingley
Sunday 9 July 2023 16:20 , Sonia Twigg
Pat Cummins said that he thought Edgbaston had a more hostile atmosphere than the one over the last four days.
When asked if the fans overstepped the mark with their chanting, he said: “Not that I heard of. I actually thought at Edgbaston the crowd was a bit louder than this one, but it’s all part of it, I thought the crowd was fine.”
On Mitchell Starc: “I thought he was fantastic, in the first innings he bowled really well without much reward and I thought that was a class act.
“He’s just becoming more and more complete as a bowler, as a csaptain it’s a luxury to have a left-armer who’s that in control of his pace and length.”
England beat Australia by three wickets at Headingley
Sunday 9 July 2023 16:15 , Mike Jones
Australia captain Pat Cummins spoke to Sky Sports at the post-match presentation saying: “There were a few moments that went back and forth and that was each day really. On the first day we lost six for 20-odd and yesterday the sun was out and we probably missed an opportunity. It was just a couple of key moments.
“It seems like a series where one session swings in one teams favour and then the next session the other team picks it up. I wouldn’t mind a stress-free one!
“We were in control when Moeen got Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith and we just needed to keep going. Unfortunately it happens. I thought getting up to 250 gave us something pretty competitive to bowl at but it wasn’t quite enough.
“Of course. I thought last week at Lord’s he [David Warner] was absolutely fantastic. There has often been lights and clouds up above when he’s been batting. I am really happy with how everyone is going.
“We’ll take a few days off to recharge and people are flying to various places and then we’ll come back together and ready for Manchester.”
England beat Australia by three wickets at Headingley
Sunday 9 July 2023 16:06 , Mike Jones
Reaction from Mark Wood who was awarded the Player of the Match award. He said: “I am delighted to be stood here and great for us to win the match and it keeps the series alive.
“I was not good in the dressing room! Sweaty palms all the way! It is a lot easier in the middle than when you’re sat up there. It was tough against some of the best bowlers in the world and it is the first time I’ve got England over the line with the bat so I’m delighted.
“It is absolutely too soon for all-rounder status! I’m happy down at number nine. I think that is too high and any higher I’m definitely getting a nose bleed!”
England beat Australia by three wickets at Headingley
Sunday 9 July 2023 16:00 , Mike Jones
England captain, Ben Stokes, spoke to BBC’s Test Match Special after the match saying: “No good for the old age stuff is it.
“It’s completely different feelings being out of your control. I just sat up there going what would I be doing if I was out there. Brooky controlled the game very, very well. I’m just tired, it’s been draining.
“I think that knock [from Harry Brook] was under the pressure and circumstance of the series and the contribution that got us over the line, some smaller ones, Woakesy, Woody going down in that blaze of glory. Brooky has got a very good head on his shoulders, he’s a very talented boy, we’ve let him propel himself.
“[Moeen Ali] came up to Baz and said let me have a go at three. Free hit is not the right word, by we thought he could have more influence at three then eight. It didn’t work, but I loved that Mo took that responsibility.
“Headingley day four, yet again, it’s some place to play cricket. I don’t know what it is, it seems to bring out great games.”
When asked if England can go on to win the Ashes from here Stokes added: “Yep.”
England beat Australia by three wickets at Headingley
Sunday 9 July 2023 15:56 , Mike Jones
At the presentation, Mark Wood is awarded the player of the match award and rightly so. He was exceptional with the ball in both innings and his cameos with the bat helped England achieve their goals.
His 24 in the first innings got them with 26 runs of Australia’s total and his 16 not out was a vital contribution in the run chase.
It was, however, his match figures of 28.4-6-100-7 that swung the match England’s way.
England beat Australia by three wickets at Headingley
Sunday 9 July 2023 15:46 , Mike Jones
The shot of Chris Woakes smoking the ball through cover towards the Western Terrace to win the game for England is almost a mirror image of Ben Stokes’ famous innings here in 2019.
Headingley has hosted yet another thrilling contest with England on the winning side once again.
Australia lead 2-1 in the series though and will be looking to bounce back at Old Trafford next time out.
England beat Australia by three wickets at Headingley
Sunday 9 July 2023 15:44 , Mike Jones
Harry Brook might have taken the crown as the new hero of Headingley after his 75 steered England towards a thrilling victory against Australia, but there were more twists to come before the home side kept the Ashes series alive.
Test matches in Leeds have a tendency to go down to the wire, and this was no exception. The hosts looked to be closing in on a memorable victory when Brook was caught out off Mitchell Starc for 75, and England still needing 21 to win.
Mark Wood and Chris Woakes then carried England over the line – Wood hit a six to leave England with 12 runs to get with three wickets left, and another four to take it into single figures.
Having started the day on 27-0, needing another 224 to win, it looked as though the momentum was with Ben Stokes’ side. From 42 without loss, England had slid to 173 for six, and crucially, Stokes, who orchestrated the miracle four years ago, was out.
When Stokes went for 13, a lot of the country’s hopes went with him, but Brook and Chris Woakes put on 50 runs as they inched closer to victory.
England beat Australia by three wickets at Headingley
Sunday 9 July 2023 15:42 , Mike Jones
England 254-7 (50), Wood 16, Woakes 32, Starc 5-78 (16), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 15:39 , Mike Jones
England win!
Chris Woakes smashes the ball through the offside to knock off the winning runs. He finishes unbeaten on 32 and his vital knock has seen England home at Headingley.
Mark Wood finished 16 not out too and England keep their Ashes hopes alive.
Australia lead the series 2-1 now.
England 250-7 (49.5), Wood 16, Woakes 28, Starc 5-74 (15.5), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 15:37 , Mike Jones
Chris Woakes gets in line and dabs the ball into the offside for one. Two needed to win.
Mark Wood comes on strike and cuts the ball away to the boundary. The scores are level…
England 248-7 (49.3), Wood 15, Woakes 28, Starc 5-70 (15.3), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 15:36 , Mike Jones
Oh no! Mark Wood rocks back to a short ball and top edges it miles in the air. Alex Carey sprints down to fine leg to get the catch but spills it as he lunges for the ball.
England get a run. Three needed to win.
England 247-7 (49.2), Wood 14, Woakes 28, Starc 5-69 (15.2), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 15:35 , Mike Jones
Starc goes again and bangs this one in short and wide. It’s too wide for Wood to reach the umpire signals for an extra. Six to win know.
Wood pushes the ball into the offside and calls Chris Woakes through for two more. The batters sprint through.
Four to win.
England 244-7 (49.1), Wood 12, Woakes 28, Starc 5-68 (15.1), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 15:33 , Mike Jones
Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins have a chat about how to take this next wicket. Mark Wood needs to keep his head and not just try to take on the pull everytime.
Starc goes full and Wood nails him through the covers for four runs!
England 240-7 (49), Wood 8, Woakes 28, Cummins 1-77 (15), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 15:31 , Mike Jones
Incredible fielding from Australia. Chris Woakes takes on a short ball from Pat Cummins and nails a hook shot out to deep midwicket. Todd Murphy comes around and plucks the ball back into play from the edge of the rope and keeps it to one.
Six! Cummins goes short to Mark Wood who takes on the pull shot. He nails it as he did in the first innings. The ball flies off the edge and sails down to the boundary at fine leg for a maximum.
Wood then knocks one out to the midwicket boundary and collects one more.
11 needed to win for England.
England 232-7 (48), Wood 1, Woakes 27, Starc 5-64 (15), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 15:26 , Mike Jones
Mark Wood is the new batter for England and immediately gets off strike with a single into midwicket. Chris Woakes then turns the ball down to fine leg for one more and England need 19 with three wickets left.
Pat Cummins brings himself back one, of course.
Wicket! Harry Brook ct Pat Cummins b Mitchell Starc 75 (93), England 230-7 (47.4)
Sunday 9 July 2023 15:24 , Mike Jones
Twist! Harry Brook is caught in two minds how to tackle a short ball from Mitchell Starc and ends up looping the ball into the air. Pat Cummins comes around and clings onto the catch depsite colliding with the bowler who also went for the catch.
England still need 21 runs to win.
England 230-6 (47.3), Brook 75, Woakes 26, Starc 4-62 (14.3), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 15:22 , Mike Jones
Mitchell Starc has been Australia’s main destroyer today and comes on to replace Pat Cummins. Chris Woakes flicks the ball over the head of the man at short leg to get another run.
Brook takes on Starc’s short ball and turns a pull shot into the fielder at fine leg for one. An extra bit of bounce allows Woakes, now back on strike, to dink the ball down to third man to take another run off the total.
England 227-6 (47), Brook 74, Woakes 23, Murphy 0-13 (2), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 15:17 , Mike Jones
It’s time for a bit of spin from Todd Murphy. This is a new test for England and especially Chris Woakes who is on strike. Murphy oversteps and knocks a run off the target.
Woakes then prods the ball into the offside and calls Brook through for another run.
Murphy drags one down to Brook, who plays spin well, and nails the ball through point for four runs! 24 for England to win now.
England 221-6 (46), Brook 70, Woakes 22, Cummins 1-69 (14), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 15:13 , Mike Jones
Woakes manages to ride the bounce of the short ball and work the ball into the legside for one. There are no close fielder for Brook who belts the ball to the boundary and collects two more.
Four! Short and wide from Cummins and Brook cuts him away to the point boundary for four runs. That shot also brings up the fifty partnership.
England need 30 runs to win.
England 214-6 (45.3), Brook 64, Woakes 21, Cummins 1-62 (13.3), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 15:10 , Mike Jones
Pat Cummins continues for Australia and will add a bit more zip into his deliveries as he tries to draw Australia back into the the contest. Chris Woakes is on strike and is going to receive some short stuff.
Three bouncers come down and Woakes gets out of the way each time. He doesn’t look comfortable doing so though.
Sonia Twigg at Headingley
Sunday 9 July 2023 15:06 , Sonia Twigg
Drinks: Every wide delivery flashed at, every edge that has looped safe has almost seemed to happen in slow motion here.
It’s a thrilling contest, there’s no doubt about that, but it’s nerve-wracking to watch.
Nails are being bitten, all the superstititons have come out, and the game is still on a knife edge.
England need just 37 to win, Australia have just four wickets to take.
England 214-6 (45), Brook 64, Woakes 21, Marsh 1-23 (6), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 15:05 , Mike Jones
England needed 80 runs when Chris Woakes came to the crease and now they need 40. It’s been a smart innings by Woakes, and gutsy too against Pat Cummins’ short stuff.
Woakes drives Marsh away for one before Brook goes after a pull and misses it by a mile. That shot will keep Australia interested.
A nicely placed push into the legside brings Brook two and gets the Barmy Army chanting again. 37 runs to win as the drinks come out.
England 211-6 (44), Brook 62, Woakes 20, Cummins 1-62 (13), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 15:01 , Mike Jones
Cummins has men on the boundary for Brook and Woakes. Brook takes it on and scoops the ball in the air but it falls well short of the fielders on the boundary.
Woakes follows Brook with a hook and gets it fine to chalk off yet another run for England. The hosts are dealing in ones at the minute but they won’t mind.
The closer they get to the target, the more pressure mounts on Australia.
Four! Brook takes on the short ball and splits the field, this is a welcome boundary for the Yorkshireman. 40 runs to win.
England 203-6 (43), Brook 56, Woakes 18, Marsh 1-20 (5), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 14:56 , Mike Jones
Mitchell Marsh comes back into the attack for Australia with England needing 49 runs to win. Scott Boland wasn’t effective in his spell so Pat Cummins needed to make a change.
The field is slightly more spread out with Harry Brook on strike and Australia trying to save runs as well as take wickets.
Brook is still content enough to take singles and leave Woakes on strike. He defends the rest of the over.
England 202-6 (42), Brook 55, Woakes 18, Cummins 1-54 (12), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 14:50 , Mike Jones
Harry Brook takes England past 200 with a single which elicits huge cheers from the crowd. Pat Cummins goes short again to Chris Woakes and draws out the false shot but the ball lands safe and brings another run.
With the last ball of the over, Cummins brings a couple of fielders in short to Woakes who’s expecting a short ball. It’s a bluff as Cummins goes full and Woakes defends.
England 199-6 (41), Brook 53, Woakes 17, Boland 0-49 (11), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 14:45 , Mike Jones
Harry Brook will probably look to be more proactive now that he’s reached that landmark. By that I mean he’ll try to rotate the strike, trust Chris Woakes to back his defence and keep chipping away at the required runs.
An inside edge brings Brook another single.
Cheers! Boland aims one into Woakes’ pads and the ball races away for four leg byes. England need 52 more to win, Australia want four wickets.
England 191-6 (40), Brook 51, Woakes 15, Cummins 1-51 (11), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 14:40 , Mike Jones
Oh my! Pat Cummins replaces Mitchell Starc and bangs one in just short of a length. The ball bounces more than Brook expects and he fondles it away through gully. Mitchell Marsh is interested but the ball flies wide of him and brings England another one.
With Woakes on strike, Cummins goes to the short ball tactic. It seems to work as the ball catches the shoulder of the bat and loops into the third man region. There are fielders around but the ball lands in between them all and brings Woakes a single.
Cummins tries the short ball on Brook but he pulls away the Australian captain for two to bring up his fifty! This is a good knock from the youngster.
60 to win for England.
England 187-6 (39), Brook 48, Woakes 14, Boland 0-45 (10), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 14:36 , Mike Jones
From here on in there’s always going to be hope for Australia as they’ll have at least one of the England bowlers at the crease. Chirs Woakes whips the ball through midwicket for four to ease the pressure on England.
Woakes earns another four with a push fine down the legside. It beats Alex Carey and flies away to the boundary for four.
England need 64 to win.
England 178-6 (38), Brook 48, Woakes 6, Starc 4-59 (14), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 14:30 , Mike Jones
Mitchell Starc strays wide and allows Chris Woakes to flash away at the ball. He connects well with it and picks up four! Woakes ,ay have decided that a counter-attack is the best way to go with England still having some wickets in the hutch.
He’s certainly going for it. Woakes misses out on a booming drive before trying to whip the ball off his hip. Starc’s pace is right up there, just a tick under 90mph, which is probably causing a bit of trouble too.
Woakes eventually gets the ball away for one. 73 runs needed to win.
England 173-6 (37), Brook 48, Woakes 1, Boland 0-36 (9), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 14:26 , Mike Jones
Harry Brook is the key for England now and needs to bat through the innings if England are to have any chance of winning this game.
Australia give him one, which he takes, to bring Chris Woakes back on strike. Woakes gets through the over and is off the mark with one from the last delivery.
England 171-6 (36), Brook 47, Woakes 0, Starc 4-54 (13), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 14:21 , Mike Jones
Chris Woakes comes to the crease and goes after the first ball from Mitchell Starc. He misses it but Australia are on top now.
Wicket! Jonny Bairstow b Mitchell Starc 5 (8), England 171-6 (35.5)
Sunday 9 July 2023 14:19 , Mike Jones
Got him! Jonny Bairstow goes after a delivery he doesn’t need to play at. He gets an inside edge on the ball which rattles onto his stumps to leave England in a precarious position now!
England 170-5 (35.3), Brook 46, Bairstow 5, Starc 3-53 (12.3), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 14:16 , Mike Jones
Marnus Labuschagne has been a whippet in the field today. He’s saved a bunch of runs already for Australia and does so again as Harry Brook drives down the ground. Brook just needs to get it past him but a sprawling dive from Labuschagne keeps it to one.
Bairstow rotates strike with Brook then smoking a great shot to deep backward point for two more.
England 166-5 (35), Brook 43, Bairstow 4, Boland 0-34 (8), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 14:14 , Mike Jones
Harry Brook continues to look in fine touch and works Scott Boland away for one. Jonny Bairstow needs to settle into his innings, he’ll want to be there at the end of the match.
A mistimes pull shot falls short of Tood Murphy at midwicket but that doesn’t instill a great deal of confidence.
Neither does this! A huge inside edge sees Bairstow get off the mark. The ball shoots past the stumps and runs away for a boundary. England will take the runs any way they can.
85 to win.
England 161-5 (34), Brook 42, Bairstow 0, Starc 3-49 (12), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 14:10 , Mike Jones
That’s a fantastic over for Australia. England still need 90 runs to win and they’ve lost five of their top six. Jonny Bairstow is the new batter and the last of the recognised ones.
This partnership is the key now. It needs to knock off the majority of these runs.
Wicket! Ben Stokes ct Alex Carey b Mitchell Starc 13 (15), England 161-5 (33.5)
Sunday 9 July 2023 14:08 , Mike Jones
Is this the decisive moment of this test match? Mitchell Starc flings one down legside and Ben Stokes gets a thin edge on the ball trying to flick it away.
Alex Carey takes the catch and that’s a massive boon for Australia.
England 161-4 (33.4), Brook 42, Stokes 13, Starc 2-49 (11.4), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 14:06 , Mike Jones
Glorious! Ben Stokes isn’t just going to dig in, not when the ball is there to hit. Starc overpitches outside the offstump and Stokes drills him through cover for four!
England 157-4 (33.3), Brook 42, Stokes 9, Starc 2-45 (11.3), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 14:04 , Mike Jones
Stokes is okay as Mitchell Starc comes into the attack. He immediately targets the stumps and draws a drive out of Harry Brook. Brook needs to take care against the full ball going across him, it’ll be a tempter for the right-hander to drive.
Brook guides the ball down to third man for one.
England 156-4 (33), Brook 41, Stokes 9, Boland 0-29 (7), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 14:02 , Mike Jones
Brook picks up where he left off and drives into the gap at point for a single.
Oh wow! Ben Stokes comes down the track and misses the ball as it’s angled in towards the stumps. Boland’s length takes the ball over the top but that was a mighty close call for the England captain.
Stokes is up and running in the afternoon session with a flick down to fine leg, Mitchell Starc comes flying across to save the boundary. He does well and keeps it to two runs.
A bit of added bounce pins Stokes in a delicate area and he’ll need a few moments to gather himself here.
Three off the over, 95 runs to win.
Afternoon session: England 153-4 (32), Brook 40, Stokes 7, Boland 0-26 (6), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 13:57 , Mike Jones
There’s a chance that rain may hit Headingley from 3pm onwards so the next hour could be crucial for both sides. England will hope to get as close to Australia’s total as possible while the tourists target the final six wickets.
Scott Boland has the first over after lunch, Harry Brook is on strike.
Lunch: England 153-4, target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 13:51 , Mike Jones
Five minutes to go until play resumes at Headingley. As has been the way with this series throughout the summer, the match is on a knife edge.
Quick wickets for Australia will swing the momentum their way but a partnership of 50 or so for England and they should have enough quality to get home.
Lunch: England 153-4, target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 13:42 , Mike Jones
England moved to within 98 runs of another memorable Ashes victory at Headingley, with Ben Stokes back on centre stage alongside Harry Brook.
Four years on from a famous Stokes-inspired victory at the same venue, England made themselves favourites to claim a gripping third Test after another tightly-fought morning on day four.
Needing 251 to win the match and keep the series alive at 2-1, the hosts reached 153 for four at lunch. Brook was playing forcefully on 40 not out, having swapped his spot at number three for his favoured position of five, with Stokes new to the crease on seven.
Harry Brook and Ben Stokes tasked with getting England home at Headingley
Lunch: England 153-4, target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 13:36 , Mike Jones
Lunch: England 153-4, target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 13:33 , Mike Jones
Pat Cummins took the vital wicket of Joe Root in the morning session which leaves Australia with a chance of claiming a surprise victory at Headingley.
England still have the slight advantage though.
Lunch: England 153-4, target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 13:20 , Mike Jones
England need a further 98 runs to win with six wickets in hand. On the face of it England have the better chance of winning but that first session was pretty even.
Four wickets for Australia is a great start and England will need a big partnership to take the game away from them. The fate of the match may rest on the shoulders of Harry Brook who reaches the lunch break 40 not out.
England 153-4 (32), Brook 40, Stokes 7, Murphy 0-7 (1), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 13:17 , Mike Jones
The offspinner is introduced into the bowling attack to bowl the last six balls before the break in play. He’s starts around the wicket to the right-handed Harry Brook.
A short, wide one is dispatched to the boundary for four which brings up England’s 150 and earns a round of applause. Another cut finds the fielder this time and Brook settles for one.
A single for Stokes brings the required runs under 100, and Brook takes a run from the last ball before lunch.
Sonia Twigg at Headingley
Sunday 9 July 2023 13:17 , Sonia Twigg
Lunch: The game is still on a knife edge, but England have managed to get the total to under 100.
It’s 98 to win, and the importance of these two batters staying out there for most of that cannot be understated.
The Ashes is on the line and England have a great opportunity to fight back in this series.
England 146-4 (31), Brook 34, Stokes 6, Cummins 1-47 (10), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 13:13 , Mike Jones
Pat Cummins starts off the 31st over with a no-ball which ticks another run off England’s target. Cummins tries a couple of deliveries over the wicket then comes round and pins Stokes on the glove with a short ball which runs down to fine leg for one.
Harry Brook chases after a wide one and there’s a half-hearted appeal from the Australia’s who decide not to review. Brook was nowhere near it.
Brook takes a single off the last delivery and will face the final over before lunch. Todd Murphy is going to bowl it.
England 143-4 (30), Brook 33, Stokes 5, Starc 2-44 (11), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 13:08 , Mike Jones
There are a few spectators biting their nails in the crowd as they watch on. Mitchell Starc flings down a wide yorker which Harry Brook tries to dig out. Alex Carey leaps across and fumbles the ball which brings England a couple of byes.
More aggressively Brook swipes with a wide drive and picks up four runs when the ball flies away over the slips before calling Ben Stokes through for a quick single off the next ball.
Starc targets Stokes’ pads once more but the England captain leans into a push and collects one.
England 135-4 (29), Brook 28, Stokes 4, Cummins 1-44 (9), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 13:03 , Mike Jones
The England captain is the new batter and he whips away his first ball for four runs through the legside. England need him to step up again, they require 116 more runs to win.
Wicket! Joe Root ct Alex Carey b Pat Cummins 21 (33), England 131-4 (28.5)
Sunday 9 July 2023 13:01 , Mike Jones
Massive moment!
Pat Cummins dismisses Joe Root again and gets him strangled down the legside. Root tries to pull the short ball away and gloves the ball through to Alex Carey.
Just as England get themselves into a nice position, Australia fight back!
England 131-3 (28.3), Brook 28, Root 21, Cummins 0-40 (8.3), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 13:00 , Mike Jones
Joe Root has fallen to Pat Cummins a number of times throughout this series but gets in behind his own defence to get off strike against the Australian captain.
Harry Brook drives down the ground and takes another single.
England 129-3 (28), Brook 27, Root 20, Starc 2-38 (10), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 12:56 , Mike Jones
There’s some nice controlled play from Harry Brook who taps Mitchell Starc away for a couple more runs to the fielder at third man. Brook still plays some loose shots though as a fiddle around off stump gets the bowler excited when the ball beats the bat.
Just the two runs from the over.
England 127-3 (27), Brook 25, Root 20, Cummins 0-38 (8), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 12:52 , Mike Jones
Pat Cummins decides to test out Harry Brook with a short ball but the delivery doesn’t get as high as he’d like and Brook is able to turn it into the legside for a single.
Root caresses Cummins through the covers for four to end the 27th over and he takes England over the halfway stage of their run chase.
They need 124 runs to win.
England 122-3 (26.3), Brook 24, Root 16, Cummins 0-33 (7.3), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 12:49 , Mike Jones
Wonderfully controlled from Harry Brook who guides a shortish delivery down to third man for two runs.
Cummins then finds the edge of Brook’s bat but it lands short of Alex Carey who dives across David Warner at first slip trying to wrap his gloves around the ball.
England 120-3 (26), Brook 22, Root 16, Starc 2-36 (9), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 12:47 , Mike Jones
Harry Brook has the potential to be a quality batter for England in test match cricket but can tend to get carried away with hitting boundaries. He reins himself in as Mitchell Starc tightens up his line and length, relying instead on his defence to keep out the left-arm quick.
Another single off the last ball of the over keeps Brook on strike. England require a further 131 runs to win. Australia need seven wickets.
England 119-3 (25.1), Brook 21, Root 16, Starc 2-35 (8.1), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 12:44 , Mike Jones
Pat Cummins senses that a change is needed in the bowling. He decides against bringing on the offspinner Todd Murphy and instead reintroduces Mitchell Starc.
Starc throws one wide first up and Brook drives him through extra cover for another four!
England 115-3 (25), Brook 17, Root 16, Boland 0-26 (6), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 12:42 , Mike Jones
Lovely. Harry Brook drives on the up from a good length delivery off Scott Boland. He times it wonderfully and finds the gap in the offside to collect four runs.
And again! This one is even fuller and Brook drills it away square of the wicket to record back-to-back boundaries. He’s away in his innings now but needs to remain vigilant.
Brook keeps the strike with a guided push to third man for one.
England 106-3 (24), Brook 8, Root 16, Marsh 1-19 (4), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 12:38 , Mike Jones
Joe Root and Harry Brook continue to get themselves settled at the crease, they rotate the strike by picking singles off Mitchell Marsh.
Four runs come from the first five deliveries before Root smokes a fine cover drive into the offside and picks out the fielder.
Things are tense out there. They’re very, very tense.
England 102-3 (23), Brook 6, Root 14, Boland 0-17 (5), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 12:34 , Mike Jones
Joe Root drills an equally good drive towards mid-off but only manages to get one as Marnus Labuschagne sprints across and smothers the ball with a great diving stop.
The nervous edge to this fourth day remains. England need 148 runs to win.
England 101-3 (22.3), Brook 6, Root 13, Boland 0-16 (4.3), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 12:32 , Mike Jones
That will make Harry Brook feel better. Scott Boland goes full to England’s number five who leans into a fantastic straight drive and collects four down the ground.
The next delivery is an exceptional response from Boland. He nips one back off the seam, beats Brook all ends up and ever does for Alex Carey who’s forced to leap to his left to get a hand on the ball.
Root calls Brook through for a bye. England’s 100 is up and that’s another landmark chalked off.
England 96-3 (22), Brook 2, Root 13, Marsh 1-15 (3), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 12:29 , Mike Jones
The change of ball is working in Australia’s favour. It’s moving more through the air and seems to be nipping off the pitch. Australia’s change bowlers – Marsh and Boland – have kept up the pressure on the batters. England need a partnership.
Root edges another on into the slip cordon but it’s short of Usman Khawaja who does enough to keep the runs to just one. Brook eases the last ball of the over into the legside and collects one more.
England 94-3 (21), Brook 1, Root 12, Boland 0-12 (4), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 12:25 , Mike Jones
Harry Brook is just trying to get into his innings. He likes to feel bat on ball and will be a bit loose around his off stump before he settles at the crease.
Scott Boland targets that area and sends down a maiden.
England 94-3 (20), Brook 1, Root 12, Marsh 1-13 (2), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 12:21 , Mike Jones
Harry Brook is the new batter and gets off the mark immediately. He’ll want to get a score today and help England get to the target. They need 157 more runs to win with seven wickets in hand.
Wicket! Zak Crawley ct Alex Carey b Mitchell Marsh 44 (55), England 93-3 (19.3)
Sunday 9 July 2023 12:19 , Mike Jones
The plan works! Zak Crawley looks to take on Mitchell Marsh with an expansive drive. He’s not quite to the pitch of the ball and feathers an edge through to Alex Carey behind the stumps!
England 93-2 (19.2), Crawley 44, Root 12, Marsh 0-7 (1.2), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 12:17 , Mike Jones
Mitchell Marsh is searching for Zak Crawley’s outside edge. He’s pushing the ball full and tempting the opener to drive. The first ball is too straight though and Crawley gets off strike with a leg bye.
Root then eases the ball into the offside and takes one more.
England 86-2 (19), Crawley 40, Root 11, Boland 0-12 (3), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 12:14 , Mike Jones
There’s a bit of damage to the ball and the umpires call for the bag of spares to change it up. Scott Boland draws Joe Root into fending at the ball just outside his off stump.
He plays it down and gets it wide of Steve Smith in the slips. The ball runs away for four. Valuable runs for England.
Sonia Twigg at Headingley
Sunday 9 July 2023 12:07 , Sonia Twigg
Drinks: Well it’s still in the balance, and too hard to call which side is on top.
Australia will be happy they’ve taken two wickets, and England’s Bazball tactics of promoting Moeen Ali up the order did not pay off.
It might not be much of a surprise, he only averages 14.5 in six innings at number three (before today).
Joe Root will have to get his head down here, a lot rests on his shoulders at his home ground, and after a shaky first delivery where he chased a wide one, he has played some nice shots.
As the day goes on, it may yet come down to pulling sofas out to make space to hide behind and putting cushions in front of faces, but we’re not there yet.
Ashes: Chris Woakes says England need to recreate winning spirit of 2019 in Headingley chase
Sunday 9 July 2023 12:06 , Mike Jones
Chris Woakes called on England to channel Headingley 2019 and drag themselves back into the Ashes – although the seamer hopes there is a more straightforward path to victory.
On Saturday, England closed on 27 without loss in pursuit of 251, a tricky ask as they have to better a first-innings 237, after Australia were skittled for 224 on a truncated day three of the third Test.
Ashes: Woakes says England need to recreate spirit of 2019 in Headingley chase
England 81-2 (18), Crawley 40, Root 7, Marsh 0-6 (1), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 12:05 , Mike Jones
Mitchell Marsh could be an unsung hero for Australia today. He’s the most likely of the four seamers to get some away swing to the right handers which will bring the slips into play. Marsh is full of confidence after a first innings century and has history of bowling well against England.
Crawley and Root each take a single from the first few deliveries before Crawley cuts away a short and wide delivery to the point boundary.
That’s a lovely shot. England need 170 runs to win.
England 75-2 (17), Crawley 35, Root 6, Marsh 0-0 (0), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 12:02 , Mike Jones
Ben Duckett and Moeen Ali are the two England wickets to have fallen in the first hour’s play. Zak Crawley and Joe Root are rebuilding as Mitchell Marsh is brought into the attack.
England 75-2 (17), Crawley 35, Root 6, Boland 0-7 (2), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 12:00 , Mike Jones
Here comes the first change of bowling as Scott Boland replaces Pat Cummins. His first delivery is a short, wide loosener which Zak Crawley goes after. He wildly swings the ball and misses it by a large margin, that one could have gone anywhere.
A second wild drive of the over from Crawley sees him fizz an edge over the slip cordon. It earns him four runs but it’s loose and risky from the opener.
A plus side is that the boundary gets the crowd singing and chanting in delight.
England 70-2 (16), Crawley 30, Root 6, Starc 2-31 (8), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 11:56 , Mike Jones
Root is quickly onto a pull shot and swivels the ball away to the fielder at deep square leg. He calls Zak Crawley through for a couple of runs and gets back easily enough.
England need another 181 runs to win, Australia want eight wickets.
England 68-2 (15.3), Crawley 30, Root 4, Starc 2-29 (7.3), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 11:54 , Mike Jones
Mitchell Starc is through five overs already in this spell and will continue. He’s bowled well, in tandem with Pat Cummins, but the left-armer has been the man to take the wickets.
Cummins takes a slip out and places him close on the offside to stop Joe Root from taking a single. England’s best batter tries to drive through cover but his timing isn’t there yet and he scuffs the ball back to the bowler who smiles.
Starc goes again and so does Root. Root nails the drive this time and opens his account with a gorgeous looking cover drive for four.
England 64-2 (14.3), Crawley 30, Root 0, Cummins 0-31 (6.3), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 11:50 , Mike Jones
Zak Crawley seems to be in control of his emotions. He’s seen a couple of wickets fall from the non-strikers end but is striking it well and keeps the scoreboard ticking over.
Joe Root calls him through for a risky two but gets in at the non-striker’s end. When Crawley gets off strike, Root’s first ball off Cummins wraps him on the thigh pad after jagging back into his pads.
England pick up a leg bye.
England 60-2 (14), Crawley 27, Root 0, Starc 2-25 (7), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 11:47 , Mike Jones
Another brilliantly successful over from Mitchell Starc. The Australia’s are right in the contest this morning and another wicket – especially if it’s Joe Root – will swing the momentum right in their favour.
Wicket! Moeen Ali b Mitchell Starc 5 (15), England 60-2 (13.5)
Sunday 9 July 2023 11:45 , Mike Jones
That’s a corker from Mitchell Starc! The promotion for Moeen Ali hasn’t worked. Starc flings down a sharp delivery with a bit off wobble on the seam.
He angles it into leg stump, Moeen goes for the drive and gets an inside edge. The ball flies through his gate and scatters the stumps. Australia are well in the match.
England 59-1 (13), Crawley 26, Moeen 5, Cummins 0-28 (6), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 11:39 , Mike Jones
As Pat Cummins winds up another over with a bouncer to Moeen Ali, there’s still a sense of nervous anticipation around the ground. There hasn’t been anything too manic this morning, England have batted sensibly, Australia have bowled well.
England need 192 runs to win.
England 58-1 (12.2), Crawley 25, Moeen 5, Cummins 0-27 (6.2), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 11:37 , Mike Jones
Moeen Ali dinks the ball down to get himself another run before Pat Cummins decides the time is right to test out Zak Crawley with a short ball.
He bangs it into the deck, gets it high enough to fly over Crawley’s left shoulder but there’s too much height and the ball sails over Alex Carey too and brings England four byes.
England 53-1 (12), Crawley 25, Moeen 4, Starc 1-24 (6), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 11:35 , Mike Jones
There’s a bit of interest for Australia around Moeen Ali’s off stump. Mitchell Starc is finding a touch of extra bounce and has drawn a few play-and-misses from the left-hander already.
Moeen drops one into the gap at point and ends the over with a single.
England 52-1 (11.2), Crawley 25, Moeen 3, Starc 1-23 (5.2), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 11:33 , Mike Jones
The fifty comes up for England! Mitchell Starc pushes one wide of Zak Crawley’s off stump and he plays an expansive drive out to the fielder on the boundary.
Moeen Ali then plays a similar shot to pick out Travis Head at deep backward point. The batters race through for two which brings England’s required runs under 200.
They need a further 199 to win.
England 49-1 (11), Crawley 24, Moeen 1, Cummins 0-26 (5), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 11:30 , Mike Jones
Moeen Ali’s promotion up the order could be a canny move from Ben Stokes. Joe Root, Harry Brook and Jonny Bairstow are destructive batters in the middle order and if England can wear Australia down before they come in it’ll make things easier later in the day.
Moeen only averages 14 in his seven test match innings at number three though so the potential is there for this plan to backfire.
Meanwhile, Zak Crawley continues to milk Pat Cummins for singles through midwicket. He takes another run off the target to leave Moeen with one ball to face at the end of the over.
There’s a double bluff from Cummins. He sets the field back on the legside and pushes one wide of off stump. Moeen dangles the bat out there but misses the ball with a half-hearted drive.
England 48-1 (10), Crawley 23, Moeen 1, Starc 1-20 (5), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 11:26 , Mike Jones
Mitchell Starc strikes first ofr Australia who will feel they’re right in this game now. There’s a surprise from England though as Moeen Ali comes out to bat at number three.
A quick single gets him off the mark to loud applause from the crowd.
Four runs! The first boundary of the day is a fortuitous one for England as Crawley gets a leading edge on a delivery pushed across his stumps. There’s no third man and once the ball beats the cordon is flies away.
Crawley then gets off strike with another run.
Wicket! Ben Duckett lbw Mitchell Starc 23 (31), England 42-1 (9.1)
Sunday 9 July 2023 11:21 , Mike Jones
Big moment! Ben Duckett strays across his stumps once again with Mitchell Starc pushing the ball slightly fuller. He misses his flick through midwicket and gets trapped bang in front.
Duckett reviews but to no joy and England lose their first wicket!
England 42-0 (9), Crawley 18, Duckett 23, Cummins 0-25 (4), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 11:18 , Mike Jones
There’s been a few tweaks to the field to try and keep England from rotating the strike but the gap between point and gully remains as an area to collect an easy single which Duckett does.
Crawley then plays with soft hands to guide the ball down to third man for a run as well. A gentle push down the ground, mistimed by Duckett, brings England their third run of the over.
They’re chipping away at this total.
England 39-0 (8), Crawley 17, Duckett 21, Starc 0-14 (4), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 11:15 , Mike Jones
Close! Mitchell Starc pins Ben Duckett on the top of the pads as the left-hander shuffles across his stumps. The batters sprint through for a legbye as the umpire turns down Australia’s appeal.
Pat Cummins decides against a review which is the correct call as ball-tracking shows it would just be clipping the bails and the decision would stick with the on-field umpire.
Back on strike, Zak Crawley goes after a wide one from Starc and throws his arms at the ball. He misses it by a long way but those are the types of deliveries that draw in batters looking to score.
England 38-0 (7.3), Crawley 17, Duckett 21, Starc 0-14 (3.3), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 11:12 , Mike Jones
Full and straight is the order of the day for Mitchell Starc. He’s desperately searching for the promise of swing. Crawley digs the ball out from under his own feet and scrambles through for one.
Duckett looks to be the more expansive of the two openers. He nails a drive to mid-on but finds the fielder then looks to smoke Starc away down the legside and misses the ball.
England 37-0 (7), Crawley 16, Duckett 21, Cummins 0-22 (3), target 251
Sunday 9 July 2023 11:09 , Mike Jones
Cummins is persisting with a full length, trying to get the ball to swing late. Crawley, then Duckett, get onto the front foot and drive the ball into cover where the fielders limit them to a single each.
The final delivery in the over is dragged back to a good length but Crawley is able to flick it off his hip and take another run.
Five more from this over.
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