Ashes 2019: Joe Root makes fighting fifty as England keep faint third Test hopes alive
Catch-up on how all the action unfolded on Day Three at Headingley
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Your support makes all the difference.England fought their way to 155-3, but Australia remain favourites to win the third Ashes Test.
Joe Root and Joe Denly both passed fifty in pursuit of a target of 359, and though the latter departed soon after reaching his half-century, England’s captain remains unbeaten overnight on 75.
Root’s fine hand ensures England maintain slim hopes of pulling off the most remarkable of chases, and you can see how the third day’s action all unfolded below:
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.
Odds
England to win: 8/11
Australia to win: 21/10
Draw: 29/4
Prediction
England to win: As long as the weather plays ball, this could be the moment the series swings in England’s favour. With Jofra Archer set to renew his bowling assault and no Steve Smith to dig Australia out of trouble, England should be able to level the series here with bright sunshine forecast for the weekend.
The players are back out! This session is likely to give us a better picture of who the winners will be. A couple of Australian wickets will change the complexion entirely. But Bairstow and Stokes look in good nick.
97.0 England 239-4 (target 359), Bairstow 35, Stokes 32
Just one run from the first over after lunch, bowled by Nathan Lyon. England need another 120 to win.
97.1 England 239-4 (target 359), Bairstow 35, Stokes 32
Big moment! Bairstow plays at Hazlewood's first delivery after lunch and appears to nick it behind to Paine. The umpire's finger goes up, but Bairstow reviews instantly. And replays, with the help of UltraEdge, show that he missed it completely. Not out.
98.0 England 241-4 (target 359), Bairstow 36, Stokes 33
A couple of singles follow that overturned wicket. The final ball of Hazlewood's over crashes into Bairstow's pads and Australia appeal for lbw. But there's clearly a big inside edge before it hits the pads.
99.0 England 245-4 (target 359), Bairstow 36, Stokes 37
A chance to end another excellent Lyon over! Stokes edges to Warner at slip but he can't quite get down quickly enough to catch it. And it races away to the boundary to add insult to injury.
99.1 WICKET! Bairstow c Labuschagne b Hazlewood 36, Eng 245-5
England's reprieve doesn't last long! Bairstow flashes his bat at a wider Hazlewood delivery and edges it straight to Labuschagne at second slip. A partnership of 86 is broken, and Australia will feel confident once again. Jos Buttler is next in for England.
100.0 England 245-5 (target 359), Buttler 0, Stokes 37
Buttler survives the remainder of Hazlewood's over without adding another run. England need a big performance from their number seven here.
101.0 England 248-5 (target 359), Buttler 1, Stokes 39
Buttler gets off the mark with a nervy inside edge. Stokes adds a couple of singles, too, and moves closer to a hard-fought half century.
101.2 England 252-5 (target 359), Buttler 1, Stokes 43
An emphatic pull shot for four from Stokes, who takes the game to the impressive Hazlewood.
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