LEEDS: Australia captain Pat Cummins spearheaded an England collapse, putting the tourists in a commanding position in the third Ashes Test at Headingley on Friday. At lunch on the second day, England were struggling at 142-7, still 121 runs behind Australia’s first-innings total of 263.
Needing a win to keep their hopes alive in the series after trailing 2-0 with three matches remaining, England lost four wickets for 74 runs in the morning session. Fast bowler Cummins was in scintillating form, claiming impressive figures of 4-59 in 13 overs.
Despite the hosts’ struggles, England captain Ben Stokes, coming off his heroic 155 in the second Test at Lord’s, remained at the crease on 27 not out. The home fans were hopeful that Stokes could replicate his Ashes heroics from 2019 at Headingley, where he played an unforgettable unbeaten hundred to secure a remarkable one-wicket victory for England.
The day began with Joe Root on 19 not out and Jonny Bairstow unbeaten on one, receiving an enthusiastic reception from the crowd at their home ground. However, Root fell early, edging Cummins to David Warner at first slip. Bairstow also departed soon after, dismissed by Mitchell Starc for 12 with a sharp catch by Steve Smith at second slip.
Australia’s Superior Fielding Trouble England
Australia’s superior fielding continued to trouble England, leaving them in a dire situation at 87-5. Stokes survived a close lbw appeal and went on to accumulate 27 runs, but his partners Moeen Ali (21) and Chris Woakes (10) fell to Cummins and Starc respectively, exacerbating England’s collapse before lunch.
World Test champions Australia, aiming to secure their first Ashes series victory in England in 22 years, owed much to Mitchell Marsh’s outstanding performance on Thursday. Making his first Test appearance since 2019, Marsh scored a quick-fire 118 runs, while the next highest score was Travis Head’s 39. England had an opportunity to dismiss Marsh early, but captain Joe Root dropped a straightforward catch when the all-rounder was on 12.
Mark Wood, playing his first match of the series, made a significant impact with a remarkable bowling display, taking 5-34. Wood consistently bowled at an average speed of over 90 mph, adding further pressure on the Australian batsmen.
