Ashes 2023: 3rd Test | Day 4 Review

Ashes 2023 3rd Test Day 4 Review

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England had finished day 3 at 27-0 in their fourth innings. They needed a further 227 to register their first win in the series. Australia who had the opportunity to take the game away from England completely failed to impose themselves.

On a rain-curtailed day 3, Australia had arguably their weakest day in the 2023 Ashes so far. Their batters barring Travis Head didn’t make a valuable contribution. This allowed England to claw back into the game. They had their task cut out on day 4 as they needed to pick all ten English wickets. Yet another Test was poised to go down the wire.

We look at the defining moments of day 4:

#1 Australia pick two early wickets

 Mitchell Starc removed Ben Duckett early on day four. The left-hand opener moved across his stumps far too much. Starc had already beaten him once in the over. He was too good not to get him out. An in-swinger from Starc caught Duckett plumb in front. Australia made the decisive breakthrough early. England sent in Moeen Ali at number 3. The move didn’t pay off as Starc castled Ali with a sharp in-ducker. At 60-2, Australia had their noses slightly ahead. 

#2 The counterpunch till lunch

Joe Root’s entry into the chase signalled England’s aggressive route in approaching the target. Zak Crawley got into his groove and the pair started finding runs at a good clip. Against the run of play, Crawley lost his wicket. He flashed at a wide delivery to nick one to Alex Carey.

Harry Brook kept the momentum going and it appeared that this partnership will see England home. Root then got out once again to Pat Cummins. Ben Stokes joined in the fun and England went to lunch at 153-4 scoring 126 runs but also losing 4 wickets in the process. They needed 98 more and had 6 wickets in hand.

#3 Starc’s double strike 

It seemed evident that it would need something from Starc to break open the game once again. Starc was Australia’s key bowler in this innings. Scott Boland and Todd Murphy looked pretty ineffective. Mitchell Marsh did his bit. But it was down to Starc and Pat Cummins to do the heavy lifting. Cummins had a rare off day. Starc though stepped up beautifully to keep Australia in the hunt. He removed both Stokes and Jonny Bairstow in a space of two overs. Starc reduced England to 171-6. Australia wouldn’t be blamed if they started visualizing 3-0 at this point.

#4 The prodigious talent showed that he belongs

Harry Brook kept going from one end. The youngster played a mature knock without letting the pressure get to him. It will go down as one of his finest innings at the international level. Brook hit 75 off 93 balls to take England within touching distance. With 21 runs more to get, Brook skied one off Starc to add another twist to the tale.

#5 The two comeback men script the finish

There were few nerves in the England dressing room when Brook got out. Mark Wood walking in at number 9 though showed none of it. In the company of another comeback man, Chris Woakes, the duo took England home. Wood smashed a six and four in his enterprising cameo. Woakes remained unbeaten on 32 and hit the winning runs. The pair scored 82 runs and picked 13 wickets between them. It was fitting that they remained at the crease when England won the game. 

#6 What does England’s win mean?

England’s win in Headingley means the Ashes is still alive. There is a possibility of all three results in the series with two Tests to go. England has shown they won’t be pushovers and Australia will want to look at this Test as an aberration. We can’t wait for the fourth Test to start! The Ashes 2023 is an absolute box office!