The Ashes: England make strong start chasing 251 to win third Test and keep hopes of series victory alive
England made a fast start chasing 251 to win at Headingley and keep their Ashes hopes alive after Chris Woakes, Mark Wood and Stuart Broad each struck twice with the ball on an electrifying evening.
Zak Crawley (8no) and Ben Duckett (11no) rattled along to 27-0 from five overs under sunlight – which had replaced the persistent rain from earlier in the day – as the requirement was whittled down to 224.
Wet weather wiped out the opening two sessions on day three of the third Test and then returned after just one over once play eventually began at 4.45pm with Australia 116-4 and ahead by 142.
The second stoppage proved only fleeting and when the cricket resumed fans were treated to a scintillating two and a half hours, in keeping with the rest of a spellbinding series, as Australia were bowled out for 224 under initially leaden skies after adding 108 to their total , thanks mainly to Travis Head’s 77.
The Ashes – Live
Sunday 9th July 10:15am
Australia are 2-0 up in the five-match contest and will secure a first series victory in England in 22 years if they win in Leeds, with England needing to triumph in the final three tests to regain the urn Australia have held since drubbing their opponents 4-0 in 2017-18.
More to follow.
Watch day four of the third Ashes Test live on Sky sports cricket On Sunday. Build up from 10.15am, first ball at 11am. You can stream the men’s and women’s Ashes series on NOW.
