England chasing 251 to keep Ashes hopes alive

July 9, 2023

England need another 224 runs to win the third Test and keep their Ashes hopes alive after a thrilling rain-shortened third day at Headingley.

The hosts reached 27-0 at the close, chasing 251, after bowling Australia out for 224.

England took advantage of perfect bowling conditions to turn Australia’s 116-4 into 170-8 after rain prevented any play until just before 17:00 BST.

At that stage Australia’s lead was 196 but Travis Head batted superbly to help add another 54 for the final two wickets.

He batted in the style of Ben Stokes, striking seven fours and three sixes, in his 77 before being caught in the deep.

That left England with a perilous 25 minutes to bat but Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett hit four fours in five overs to give England a platform.

Defeat for England will see Australia win an Ashes series in England for the first time since 2001. (BBC)