ENGLAND has ensured the 2023 Ashes series is well and truly up for grabs after defeating Australia by three wickets in four days at Headingley.

The third test had plenty of consequence attached for the hosts, given the Aussies came in leading 2-0 after a dramatic triumph at Edgbaston, and controversial win at Lord’s. England’s signature ‘Bazball’ style of play had come under fire and Australia had the chance to retain the urn over the weekend.

However, changes to the English lineup ahead of the crucial match paid dividends, as inclusions to the hosts’ XI proved matchwinning on the fourth day of play.

England (237 & 7-254) def. Australia (263 & 254)

Day one saw England win the toss again and send the Aussies out to bat, with opener David Warner barely troubling the scorers as he edged Stuart Broad to the slips in the first over. The injection of Mark Wood to England’s bowling attack was making life extremely difficult, with the right-arm fast bowler delivering a serious bout of pace early in the innings.

He knocked over the dangerous Usman Khawaja, before Chris Woakes ensured Marnus Labuschagne‘s patchy form continued, and when Steve Smith edged one behind to the slips cordon just before lunch, the Aussies were in strife at 4-85.

Much of Australia’s success hinged on the partnership between Travis Head and Mitch Marsh, who was a surprise inclusion after Cameron Green was troubled by a minor hamstring injury. Despite not appearing in red ball cricket at international level for quite some time, the ‘Bison’ looked at home at Headingley, smashing the English bowling attack en route for stirring century.

Once he fell for 118, England had no troubles cleaning up the remainder of the Aussie batting order on day one before heading out to the crease themselves.

After sustaining criticism over the past week, Aussie keeper Alex Carey took a terrific catch above his head to dismiss Ben Duckett just four overs into England’s innings, while Cummins took the scalp of Harry Brook (who was elevated to three due to Ollie Pope‘s shoulder injury) for just three runs.

Marsh was not done yet as he took down Zak Crawley, who was looking strong with 33 runs as a whopping 13 wickets fell on the first day of play.

England skipper Ben Stokes (80) delivered another inspirational knock to kick off day two and ensure his side hit the scoreboard before being bowled out for 237, a solid result given how fast the wickets fell to end day one, pulling Australia’s lead back to just 26.

Although the Aussies had the chance to break out to a series-winning lead on day two, a 3-22 collapse in the middle order showcased the strength of England’s improved bowling attack, as 11 wickets fell on the second day of play.

Head and Marsh steadied the tourists once again, but the ghost of Stokes’ heroics at the same venue in 2019 meant Australia needed to secure a massive score in the second innings to feel in control of the game.

A patch of rain caused much of day three to be abandoned, with no overs bowled until after tea. Head continued his knock from the previous day with his 77 helping the Aussies set the required total at 250. England’s openers survived to make 27 runs and set the team up for a chase of 224 over the final two days, with Australia needing 10 wickets.

Although the hosts had the upper hand coming into day four, Australia had them in trouble at 6/171, with the likes of Stokes, Joe Root, and Jonny Bairstow all dismissed cheaply, leaving England’s tail with a bit of work to do.

Moeen Ali was a surprise number three, replacing Brook who dropped down to his usual position at five and thrived as a result. He led the run chase from the front and delivered a crucial knock of 75 to put England within striking distance before heading back to the pavilion with his side needing just 25 runs.

Instead, it was the heroics of Wood and Woakes that finished the job for the English, delivering some powerful hitting as they overcame Mitch Starc‘s five-wicket haul to make things very interesting heading into the fourth test, trailing 2-1.

After a week of pressure after surrendering a 2-0 lead to Australia, England has returned serve with a statement performance in Leeds, and will be looking to overcome the odds and produce a remarkable comeback victory in the series.

A change-up in bowlers certainly gave England a bit of flare in the third test, and potentially turned the series, with Wood named Player of the Match. Australia will be left pondering the impact of its openers after an underwhelming performance in both innings, while the selection committee have a tough task ahead if Green is deemed fit to play at Old Trafford in nine days time.

SCORECARD

RESULT: England won by three wickets
POTM: Mark Wood (England)
TOSS: England won and elected to bowl

1st Innings: Australia 263 (60.4)

Mitch Marsh 118 (118), Travis Head 39 (74), Smith 22 (31)
Mark Wood 5/34 (11.4), Chris Woakes 3/73 (17), Stuart Broad 2/58 (11.4)

2nd Innings: England 237 (52.3)

Ben Stokes 80 (108), Zak Crawley 33 (39), Mark Wood 24 (8)
Pat Cummins 6/91 (18), Mitch Starc 2/59 (14), Mitch Marsh 1/9 (3)

Australia led by 26 runs.

3rd Innings: Australia 224 (67.1)

Travis Head 77 (112), Usman Khawaja 43 (96), Marnus Labuschagne 33 (77)
Stuart Broad 3/45 (14.1), Chris Woakes 3/68 (18), Moeen Ali 2/34 (17)

Australia led by 250 runs.

4th Innings: England 7/254 (50)

Harry Brook 75 (93), Zak Crawley 44 (55), Chris Woakes 32* (47)
Mitch Starc 5/78 (16), Mitch Marsh 1/23 (6), Pat Cummins 1/77 (15)

England won by three wickets.

SERIES FIXTURE

1st Test | Edgbaston – Australia won by two wickets
2nd Test | Lord’s – Australia won by 43 runs
3rd Test | Headingley – England won by three wickets
4th Test | Old Trafford – Wed July 19 – Sun July 23
5th Test | The Oval – Thu July 27 – Mon July 31