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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.

116.4 England 292-9 (target 359), Leach 0, Stokes 67

Stokes goes big! Three dot balls are followed by a big hit down the ground, which just about clears the boundary for six.

Callum Rice-Coates25 August 2019 15:25

117.0 England 293-9 (target 359), Leach 0, Stokes 68

Stokes does very well to work a single on the leg side with the final ball of Lyon's over and keeps the strike. England need 66 more.

Callum Rice-Coates25 August 2019 15:26

Callum Rice-Coates25 August 2019 15:30

117.3 England 293-9 (target 359), Leach 0, Stokes 68

Australia are offering Stokes easy singles but he refuses to take them. Boundaries are hard to come by, though. There's a pause in play as he changes his bat.

Callum Rice-Coates25 August 2019 15:32

117.5 England 297-9 (target 359), Leach 0, Stokes 71

Stokes squirts the ball away on the off side and runs a quick two. Then he takes a single with one ball of the over remaining. Can Leach survive?

Callum Rice-Coates25 August 2019 15:33

118.0 England 297-9 (target 359), Leach 0, Stokes 71

Pattinson bowls a bouncer and Leach ducks out of the way. He's batted sensibly so far.

Callum Rice-Coates25 August 2019 15:34

118.1 England 303-9 (target 359), Leach 0, Stokes 77

Stokes goes after Lyon again! He smashes it back down the ground, but doesn't quite catch it perfectly. Hazlewood comes around looking to take the catch. But it flies over his head and goes all the way for six. England's 300 comes up.

Callum Rice-Coates25 August 2019 15:35

119.0 England 310-9 (target 359), Leach 0, Stokes 84

Unbelievable from Ben Stokes! He reverse sweeps the ball for six, smashing it into the stand. Then he takes a quick single to keep the strike. Superb batting, and the crowd have hope again. England need 49 to win.

Callum Rice-Coates25 August 2019 15:38

119.2 England 311-9 (target 359), Leach 0, Stokes 85

Stokes hits a shot to Khawaja on the boundary and looks for two. But Leach can't get back in time, so he'll now face four balls from Pattinson. This is Australia's chance.

Callum Rice-Coates25 August 2019 15:41

120.0 England 311-9 (target 359), Leach 0, Stokes 85

Leach survives! He's got a solid defence for a number 11. The crowd stand and applaud in appreciation. Stokes is back on strike, and England need 48 more runs.

Callum Rice-Coates25 August 2019 15:45

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