For the first time in the current Ashes series, England are ahead in the game and have a realistic chance of overtaking Test champions Australia at Headingley. Australia lead the series 2-0 and England have a chance to make it 2-1 as they need 224 runs on the final day of the third Test in Leeds on Sunday, July 9. England started aggressively in 24. He had to bat on the third day and Australia had given him a target of 251 runs to win, after which he scored 27 runs in five overs.
On Saturday, 8 July, Australia were 142 runs ahead before play was delayed for nearly six hours due to rain. After play finally resumed after more than two hours, the England pacers came out firing on all cylinders in supportive conditions under overcast skies. Chris Woakes was the main destroyer for England as he trapped first innings centurion Mitchell Marsh and the wicket-keeper. Alex Carey Not for much.
Head continued his blistering form and as soon as he realized it could be over very quickly after losing two frontline batsmen, he played his natural game. On the other hand, the pace trio of Woakes, Mark Wood and Stuart Broad were in fine form. After twin strikes from Woakes, Wood springs into action by removing Mitchell Starc and skipper Pat Cummins in quick succession.
Australia kept losing wickets but Head continued to attack from one end. After adding 29 runs for the seventh wicket with Starc, he added 41 runs with Todd Murphy to take his team’s score past 200. Stuart Broad took the last two wickets, clean bowling Murphy and Head, as Australia were bowled out for 224.
England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett did well to deal with that difficult period late on Saturday evening as England would be hoping to finally get on board in the ongoing Ashes series.