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
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
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.
ENGLAND WIN THE THIRD TEST!
Stokes cuts the ball away for four and roars in delight! The crowd erupts. England win by one wicket in one of the greatest test matches of all time.
Stokes, rightly, takes all the applause. He looks exhausted, drained, physically and mentally. Every England player has come to the middle to congratulate him. A sublime performance from one of the great all-rounders.
Jack Leach deserves plenty of praise, too. The pressure was huge before he worked the ball away for the single that levelled the scores. But he was unflappable.
Australia captain Tim Paine, speaking to Sky Sports: "It’s hard to take. But you’ve got to tip your hat sometimes and Ben Stokes played an unbelievable innings. That’s probably the best Test innings I’ve seen, and he was too good for us. He bats really well with the tail. He controls the game.
"There are always things you can do differently, but cricket is a game of inches. It tests your character. It’s not the end of the world. We’re here to win the series and we’ve got two opportunities to do that. We’ve spoken a lot about playing on skill, not emotion, and I reiterated it to the boys just then: if we continue to do what we do, we think we’ll be right in the mix in the last two Tests.”
Joe Root, speaking to Sky Sports: “We’ve witnessed some freakish things throughout the summer. I didn’t think we’d see something similar in these series. It was an incredible atmosphere in this ground. Test cricket is alive and kicking and the Ashes is alive and kicking.
“To try to sum Ben’s innings up in words is impossible. Outrageous batting, it really was. To be able to stay so calm and calculating was incredible. It’s a fabulous lesson that you should never give up."
Ben Stokes: "When it got down to 20s, I was thinking I should rein it in now. But in the 70s, 60s, 50s, I had to really try to go. I was in the zone, I knew what I needed to do.
"It was unbelievable, it was one I'll never forget. I've got to try to let it sink in now because I don't think I'll be involved with something that again."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments