England vs Australia 3rd Test | Ashes 2023

The 3rd test of Ashes 2023 played between England and Australia was held at Headingley. Leading the series 2-0, Australia made three changes to their side bringing in Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy and Scott Boland in place of Cameron Green, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazelwood respectively. On the other hand, England brought in Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood in place of James Anderson, Josh Tongue and Olie Pope respectively. England won the toss and chose to bowl first. It was a day dominated by the bowlers from both the sides as thirteen wickets fell throughout the day.

First up, David Warner was dismissed in the very first over of the day by Stuart Broad. Usman Khwaja and Marnus Labuschagne put the hard yards ahead by stitching a 38-run partnership. In the span of next 12 overs, both Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith were dismissed for 20 odd runs. They found themselves at 85/3. From there on, Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh put on a 155-run partnership with Mitchell Marsh playing the role of an aggressor getting a run a ball 118.

???? Pace and bounce, pace and bounce ???? #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/WSxUe9y9Z2

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 8, 2023

It was such a nerve wrecking knock and brought Australia back into the game. In a span of few deliveries, Travis Head also lost his wicket for a well-played 39. The Australian batting had collapsed from there losing 4 wickets for just 18 runs and were all out for 263. Mark Wood was the pick of the bowlers picking up 5 wickets. Chris Woakes chipped in with 3 wickets to his name.

England had a steady start to their innings. But it was Pat Cummins who drew the first blood by picking the wicket of Ben Duckett. In his very next over, Pat Cummins got rid of Harry Brook. Joe Root and Zak Crawley built a solid partnership of 43 runs before Zak Crawley fell prey to Mitchell Marsh for a well- played 33. This helped Australia finish day 1 on a high.

Australia had a great start to day 2 getting the wicket of Joe Root. In a quick span of time England lost the crucial wicket of Jonny Bairstow. Skipper Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali put on a steady partnership of 42 runs before Pat Cummins got rid of Moeen Ali. Mark Wood played a match turning cameo of an 8 ball 24 before Pat Cummins dismissed him and got his 5-fer. It was a one man show from Ben Stokes who played a captain’s knock of 80 runs and took England to 237. This gave Australia a lead of 26 runs. Pat Cummins took 6 wickets to his name.

The boys navigated a tricky period last night ????

Follow all of today's action from our Match Centre! ????#EnglandCricket | #Ashes

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 9, 2023

As far as Australia’s 2nd innings is concerned Stuart Broad gave a great start by dismissing David Warner for a 17th time. Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne played along a good partnership of 57 runs. Australia lost both Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith in quick succession. Within the next few overs Usman Khawaja lost his wicket for a well made 43.

There was a rain interruption post the first session. Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head put on a handy partnership of 41 runs. Alex Carey also had to leave early. Towards the end, there were two partnerships of 29 and 41 runs that took Australia to a score of 224. Travis Head batted well for his 77. England needed to chase 251 to stay alive in the series.

With the first 2 sessions of day 3 being washed out by rain, there was only 5 overs of play on day 3. England started well and ended the day well at 27/0.

In just the 5th over of day 4, Mitchell Starc broke the opening partnership of 42 runs. England had experimented by promoting Moeen Ali at no. 3 but it didn’t work for England as he was dismissed early. Zak Crawley and Joe Root stitched a good partnership of 33 runs before Mitchell Marsh got wicket of the well set batsman Zak Crawley for 44 runs. There was a 38-run partnership between Joe Root and Harry Brook that kept England in the driver’s seat. Although Australia fought their way back into the game by getting the crucial wickets of skipper Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow in quick intervals,

"Mark Wood you little ripper!" ????

Every Wood and Woakes boundary on our way to victory in Leeds! ???? #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/KzIKbLY8qQ

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 9, 2023

Harry Brook stood solid at one end. A 59-run stand between Chris Woakes and Harry Brook pushed England closer towards victory. Mitchell Starc got his five-fer by dismissing Harry Brook at a crucial juncture in the game for a very well made 75. Mark Wood’s cameo of an 8-ball 16 and Chris Woakes 32* ensured England won the match by 3 wickets and kept the series alive 2-1. Mitchell Starc starred for Australia with the ball picking up a 5 fer. Mark Wood was adjudged the Man of the Match for picking up 7 wickets in the game and for his significant cameos with the bat.