England vs Australia. (Photo Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Despite a stellar performance by Mitchell Starc with the ball, England clinched their first win of the ongoing Ashes series on Day 4, at Headingley in Leeds on Sunday, July 9. England won by three wickets to make a comeback in the series with the scoreline now reading 2-1.
Speaking about the match, England kickstarted the proceedings on Day 4 with a score of 27/0 following a rain-shortened Day 3. However, a determined Aussie bowling attack came all guns blazing right form the first session to land the blows.
Speedster Mitchell Starc got the crucial wickets of Ben Duckett and Moeen Ali for 23 and five runs, respectively, to begin with. Mitchell Marsh followed suit as he swiftly got the vital scalp of Zak Crawley for 44 runs off 55 balls which reduced England to 93/3.
Test specialist Joe Root and Harry Brook played delicately and raised a 38-run stand to help get their side get back on track. However, skipper Pat Cummins led from the front and drew curtains on Root’s innings which helped the Aussies see a glimmer of hope to win the thrilling Test, as England got to 153/4 at the stroke of Lunch.
Meanwhile, Brook remained firm at the crease and kept the scoreboard ticking. England skipper Ben Stokes started his innings off swiftly, getting two boundaries, however, that seemed about it as he was sent packing for 13 off 15 balls by Starc.
Jonny Bairstow’s short stint at the crease for five runs further compounded England’s miseries. While the onus was on Brook to rise to the occasion, the young batter carved a well-built half-century off 67 balls which featured six boundaries.
He was further aided by Chris Woakes, who swiftly got the boundaries to get the Three Lions back into the contest. The pair added a magnificent 59-run stand which nearly won the game for the side. However, Starc added another twist in the clash as he sent Brook packing for 75 off 93 balls, thereby completing his five-wicket haul in the contest.
Despite Starc’s impressive fightback, Woakes (32* off 47 balls) and Mark Wood (16* off 8 balls) helped England get to the finish line with their lethal hitting exploits.
Here is how Twitter reacted to England’s win in the 3rd Ashes Test-
Woakes and Wood 🫶
— Steven Finn (@finnysteve) July 9, 2023
The Ashes is well and truly alive 🔥
— Sam Billings (@sambillings) July 9, 2023
3 incredible Test matches in a row!!! Unreal
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) July 9, 2023
🏴 ENGLAND WIN! 🏴
Must win. Did win!
COME ON! 💪 #EnglandCricket #Ashes pic.twitter.com/x9VfxLRRbU
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 9, 2023
This has been far too good a series to be decided just yet! Great fightback from Eng to keep the Ashes alive! Crucial partnership between Brook and Woakes, well played @englandcricket 👏🏽 #Ashes pic.twitter.com/CmJmqnBVpt
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) July 9, 2023
Another tight one & the #Ashes still well alive. Who needs to sleep…apologies to my neighbours as I scream at the TV #exhausted
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) July 9, 2023
You absolute beauties. Wood and Woakes – don’t get any more reliable than that 😍😍 #Ashes2023
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) July 9, 2023
Well played England 👏
Another amazing Test match 👍
Ashes alive 2/1
Apologies – Flem Viz had some technical difficulties late 🤔 #ashes2023
— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) July 9, 2023
Mark Wood is my favourite cricketer. @ECB_cricket @SkyCricket
— Craig Kieswetter (@kiesy_22) July 9, 2023
Literally no finger nails left. #ENGvAUS
— Rikki Clarke (@RikkiClarke81) July 9, 2023
England are back in the series! 🙌
A thrilling run-chase at Headingley sees the hosts emerge victorious 👏#WTC25