After losing the first two Tests in the ongoing Ashes 2023, all eyes were on England as they were looking to avoid a loss to keep themselves alive in the series. While Australia were looking for another win to seal the series with two more matches to go. On 6 July, the third Test began in Leeds.
Speaking of the match, Chris Woakes, Moeen Ali, and Mark Wood made a comeback in the England lineup. While Australia included Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, and Scott Boland in their lineup. Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bowl first. In Australia’s first innings, they got bundled out for 263 runs in 60.3 overs.
England managed a three-wicket victory over Australia in the third Test of Ashes 2023
Marsh smashed 118 runs off 118 balls, including 17 fours and four sixes. With the ball, Mark Wood grabbed five wickets for 73 runs in 17 overs. In reply, England’s first innings got bundled out for 237 runs in 52.3 overs. Stokes was the highest scorer as he scored 80 runs off 108 balls, including six fours and five sixes. For the Aussies, their skipper Pat Cummins was the star as he picked up six wickets for 91 runs in 18 overs. Thus, the visitors managed a lead of 26 runs. But, Australia managed only 224 runs in 67.1 overs in their second innings and set a 251-run target for the home side. Only Travis Head scored 77 runs off 112 balls, including seven fours and three sixes.
For England, Broad and Woakes took three wickets each while both Wood and Ali grabbed two wickets each. Then, during the chase, Mitchell Starc grabbed five wickets for 78 runs in 16 overs and rattled the batting lineup of England. But, Harry Brook played a knock of 75 runs off 93 balls, including nine fours. In the end, Woakes remained not out on 32 runs off 47 balls and Wood played an unbeaten cameo of 16 runs off eight balls. Thus, they chased down the target with three wickets in hand. Thus, England kept them alive in the series as Australia will now move to Manchester for the fourth Test with a 2-1 lead. Mark Wood won the Player of the Match award for taking seven wickets and scoring 24 runs in the game.
Here is how fans have reacted to the victory of England:
One defeat won't change the fact that Australia owns pengland
— Nikhil Pujari (@nikhilsp27) July 9, 2023
Ashes is alive and kicking
— Pune?? (@ShrimaanAbhi) July 9, 2023
Finally the bazball worked ?
— Ayush Anand (@crictopher014) July 9, 2023
England 3-2 ??
— Darkism (@baderagoodera) July 9, 2023
Feel for Starc ? pic.twitter.com/f9vYKcQkmj
— AkP (@7Akp_07) July 9, 2023
end of david warner test career . @CricketAus
— Sahil Singh Bhatia (@sahilsingh333) July 9, 2023
Great comeback for wood and woakes ??
— SaiNath (@SainnathR) July 9, 2023
What a comeback in home conditions ?
— Shubman Gang (@ShubmanGang) July 9, 2023
So finally Bazzbal cricket have silenced their critics who have started to doubt their tactics.
— Sunny ? (@being_sunny1) July 9, 2023
