Ashes 2023: 3 Reasons why Australia lost Headingley Test

In Sunday’s encounter at Headingley, England stunned Australia by three wickets, thus giving them a chance to win the Ashes in 2023. The triumph by the host team reduced Australia’s overall lead to 2-1 with two more Tests to play. On the same note, we will look here at the three prominent reasons why the visitors lost the match in the third Ashes.

1. Lack of contribution from the lower order in the first inning

Notably, Australian great all-rounder Mitch Marsh marked the test return on the first day of the third match of the Ashes at Headingley on Thursday by hammering a century. Meanwhile, Australia fell to 85-4, but Marsh’s century later boosted Australia to post a respectable total. The remaining members of the team scored only 108 runs; except for Marsh’s century, no one else scored well. Following that, Australia succumbed to being all out for 263. In addition, the Australian side was dependent upon their lower-order batters, but this was unattainable since they were all removed early. As a result, Australia failed to take the lead over the Ben Stokes-led English squad in the first inning.

2. Ineffectiveness of Scott Boland during the match

After Australia’s disappointing loss at Headingley on Sunday, which witnessed hosts England comeback to take the match series 2-1, Australian star pacer Scott Boland’s involvement in both of the remaining men’s Ashes test matches appears uncertain as of now. The Australian bowler, who established an identity for himself in Test cricket with spectacular displays during the home Ashes series in 2021–22, was unable to capture a wicket all through the game against a strong England side. Notably, the primary factor in Australia’s setback in Headingley was the 34-year-old Scott Boland, who was ineffective throughout this match. The right-arm seamer finished his innings with figures of 0/35 (10 overs) as well as 0/49 (11 overs).

3. The persistent failure of David Warner

Australian great opener David Warner was another reason why Pat Cummins side lost against England during the third Ashes. The left-handed batter was only able to rack up five runs at Headingley and had amassed 141 runs in the six innings of the Ashes 2023 match. The Australian cricketer only scored four and one runs at Leeds, succumbing to the star English pacer Stuart Broad on both occasions, giving the seamer an overall total of 17 Test career dismissals. The 36-year-old has been struggling, batting a miserable average of 23.50 with only a single fifty from six innings. The top-order batter was unable to provide the good start that the Aussies needed to take a lead over the home team.