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As it happenedended

Ashes 2019 LIVE: Result and reaction as Ben Stokes 135 completes miracle comeback over Australia

Follow LIVE reaction from an astonishing day of Test cricket

Callum Rice-Coates
Headingley
,Jonathan Liew
Sunday 25 August 2019 11:21 EDT
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The Ashes in Numbers

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England's Ben Stokes defiantly took the game to Australia to save their Ashes hopes in the third Test at Headingley with one of the greatest innings ever seen.

Stokes pulled off a 76-run partnership with his final teammate, Jack Leach, hitting sixes for fun in a remarkable solo effort.

The series remains alive and goes to the fourth Test at Old Trafford all square. Follow LIVE reaction below.

Test preview:

When is the third Test?

The third Test takes place on 22-26 August.

What time does it start?

The toss takes place at 10:30am in Thursday, with play scheduled to get underway at 11am each day.

Where can I watch it?

Live coverage of each day’s play will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports The Ashes from 10am.

89.1 England 226-4 (target 359), Bairstow 26, Stokes 29

Another huge roar as Stokes pulls a short ball away for six! The crowd are starting to believe.

Callum Rice-Coates25 August 2019 12:34

90.0 England 228-4 (target 359), Bairstow 26, Stokes 30

Nine runs from the over as some sloppiness starts to creep into Australia's game. The last ball runs through to Paine, who can't take it into his gloves. It allows Bairstow and Stokes to run another single.

Australia need something to change here, so they'll turn to Lyon.

Callum Rice-Coates25 August 2019 12:38

91.0 England 229-4 (target 359), Bairstow 27, Stokes 30

An excellent over from Lyon. Just one run comes from it, and he twice beats the bat of Stokes. The quick bowlers haven't delivered in this session, so Lyon needs to produce something.

Callum Rice-Coates25 August 2019 12:42

92.0 England 229-4 (target 359), Bairstow 27, Stokes 30

A welcome maiden over for Cummins, who ends it by tempting Bairstow into a play and miss. WinViz now suggests England are favourites, though, with a 51% chance of victory.

Callum Rice-Coates25 August 2019 12:47

93.0 England 235-4 (target 359), Bairstow 32, Stokes 31

This is a fascinating duel between Lyon and Stokes. The outside edge is passed again, but Stokes gets off strike and allows Bairstow to sweep to the boundary.

Callum Rice-Coates25 August 2019 12:52

94.0 England 235-4 (target 359), Bairstow 32, Stokes 31

Another maiden from Cummins. We're just a few minutes away from lunch now, so Lyon will hope to get the wicket of Stokes before then. The off spinner looks the most likely at the moment.

Callum Rice-Coates25 August 2019 12:57

95.0 England 235-4 (target 359), Bairstow 32, Stokes 31

No runs from another impressive Lyon over. Stokes stays vigilant, though, blocking well. The key for England is to reach lunch still with six wickets in hand.

Callum Rice-Coates25 August 2019 12:59

95.0 England 235-4 (target 359), Bairstow 32, Stokes 31

Marnus Labuschagne will bowl an over of leg spin to end the session.

Callum Rice-Coates25 August 2019 13:00

Lunch

96.0 England 238-4 (target 359), Bairstow 34, Stokes 32

That's the end of a brilliant first session! It's been riveting stuff. Bairstow and Stokes leave the pitch to a standing ovation from the Headingley crowd. They've been superb since the dismissal of Root, and England now have a real chance of completing what would be a memorable run chase.

Callum Rice-Coates25 August 2019 13:04

Callum Rice-Coates25 August 2019 13:09

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