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.
102.1 WICKET! Buttler run out 1, 253-6
Disaster for England! Confusion between Stokes and Buttler, and the latter is left stranded in the middle. He tries to get back but Travis Head reacts quickly, hitting the stumps with an accurate underarm throw.
102.5 England 257-6 (target 359), Woakes 0, Stokes 48
A better end to the over for England as Stokes cuts a shorter ball to the boundary. He's closing in on 50, but England are quickly running out of wickets.
104.0 England 259-6 (target 359), Woakes 1, Stokes 49
Woakes gets off the mark and Stokes ends another Hazlewood over with a single to move within a run of his half century. England need exactly 100 more to win.
104.5 England 261-6 (target 359), Woakes 1, Stokes 51
Stokes finds the gap on the off side and runs two. It brings up a brilliantly disciplined half century, which has taken him 152 balls. It's his slowest ever, but perhaps his most important.
105.5 WICKET! Woakes c Wade b Hazlewood 1, 261-7
England are in real trouble now! Woakes attempts a cover drive after a succession of short balls from Hazlewood. But he succeeds only in picking out Wade, who takes a simple catch. Australia are close to retaining the Ashes now.
107.0 England 262-7 (target 359), Archer , Stokes 52
Jofra Archer, the next man in, survives two deliveries from Lyon and gets a big cheer from the crowd with each successful defensive shot.
108.0 England 262-7 (target 359), Archer 0, Stokes 52
Another maiden over from Hazlewood, who's hunting another five-wicket haul. There's almost another run out as Stokes and Archer hesitate over a potential single.
108.3 England 262-7 (target 359), Archer 0, Stokes 52
Close! Archer inside edges the ball onto his pad and Labuschagne at short leg almost grabs it. He jumps but can't quite reach it as it loops over his head.
109.0 England 262-7 (target 359), Archer 0, Stokes 52
Archer gets through the remainder of the over but it's another maiden. The pressure is building on England, who need 97 runs to win. Australia need just three wickets.
110.0 England 266-7 (target 359), Archer 1, Stokes 55
Pattinson comes into bowl for Australia and immediately tests Archer with some short stuff. Archer manages to flick one away to get off the mark, and then Stokes, with the help of a misfield, adds two more to finish the over.
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