After dealing with two back-to-back losses, England lastly took a sigh of reduction with a three-wicket victory over Australia within the third Ashes Check on Sunday. The Ben Stokes-led aspect chased the goal of 251 with Harry Brook smashing 75 off 93 balls. Aside from Brook’s knock, it was pacer Mark Wooden‘s all-round contribution that helped England to remain alive within the five-match contest. Beginning together with his five-wicket haul, Wooden went on to play a vital knock of 16 off 8 deliveries that included a six and a 4.

In the course of the fiftieth over when England wanted 11 runs to win, Wooden performed a canopy drive on Mitchell Starc‘s supply, which went for an attractive boundary. The excellence of the shot left former England captain and commentator Nasser Hussain completely impressed as he in contrast the English pacer with Joe Root. “That is a Joe Root cowl drive from Mark Wooden!” stated Hussain in the course of the commentary.

#Ashes2023 #markwood it is Joe root cowl drive from Mark wooden! pic.twitter.com/QoryoGKnTo

— Akash Sokasane (@AkashSokasane) July 9, 2023

The hosts’ victory lowered Australia’s lead within the collection to 2-1 with two Exams to play. England had been struggling at 171-6 — nonetheless needing an extra 80 runs to achieve a goal of 251 — after Mitchell Starc had eliminated skipper Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow in fast succession after lunch on the fourth day.

It was then that Brook was joined within the center by Woakes, taking part in his first Check since March final 12 months.

However with Australia eyeing a win that might have given them a primary Ashes collection success in England in 22 years, Brook and Woakes shared a stand of 59 that took the hosts to the brink of victory.

The scenario was as a lot a check of Brook’s typically fallible temperament as his plain expertise. But it surely was one the 24-year-old, in simply his tenth Check, handed for probably the most half.

There was, nevertheless, an extra twist when Brook fell for 75, skying Starc (5-78) to Australia captain Pat Cummins, who practically collided with Starc as he took the catch at mid-off.

England nonetheless required 21 extra runs to win however quick bowler Wooden, contemporary from his quickfire 24 within the first innings, received the goal all the way down to 12 when he hooked Cummins for six. Participant-of-the-match Wooden, who took 5-34 with the ball in Australia’s first innings, then carved Starc for 4 within the method of a top-order batsman.

(With AFP Inputs)