Mitchell Marsh and Mark Wood dazzle on hectic opening day of Headingley Test

06.07.2023 - 18:57 thenationalnews.com

Mitchell Marsh's run-a-ball 118 was the cornerstone of Australia's 263 all out on the first day of the third Ashes Test at Headingley on Thursday after the tourists collapsed either side of his blistering century.

England fast bowler Mark Wood took 5-34 as the hosts backed up captain Ben Stokes' decision to send Australia into bat on a green-tinged pitch after winning the toss.

Australia skipper Pat Cummins then reduced England to 22-2 before all-rounder Marsh, playing his first Test in nearly four years, had Zak Crawley (33) well caught at first slip by David Warner in the latest example of the tourists' superior fielding.

At stumps, England were 68-3 - a deficit of 195 runs - with Joe Root 19 not out and Jonny Bairstow one not out on their Yorkshire home ground.

Australia Cricket Test on David Warner Pat Cummins Zak Crawley Jonny Bairstow Chris Woakes England Cricket Australia

ENG vs AUS, 4th Ashes Test, Day 4, Live Updates:Australia will begin the Day 4 of the ongoing fourth Ashes Test against England from 113/4. Currently, Marnus Labuschagne (44*) and Mitchell Marsh (1*) are standing unbeaten at the crease as Australia trail by 162 runs. Earlier on Day 3, Mark Wood took three wickets while Chris Woakes scalped one to keep England on top. Zak Crawley scored 189 and Jonny Bairstow hit an unbeaten 99 as England posted 592 all out, taking a first innings lead of 275 runs over Australia. Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers for the guests with figures of 5 for 126. (Live Scorecard)

England vs Australia, 4th Ashes Test, Day 3: Mark Wood Strikes After Jonny Bairstow Runs Riot

Fast bowler Mark Wood took three wickets after Jonny Bairstow pulverised Australia with a thrilling 99 not out as England strengthened their grip on a must-win fourth Test at Old Trafford on Friday. Australia were 113-4 in their second innings at stumps on the third day, still 162 runs behind England's huge first-innings 592. Durham express quick Wood had stumps figures of 3-17 from just seven overs, a return that included the 100th Test wicket of his injury-blighted career. England, at 2-1 down with two to play, have to win in Manchester if they are to stand a chance of regaining the Ashes. Wicketkeeper Bairstow followed his blistering 81 ball-assault on Australia's bowlers, which included 10 fours and four sixes, by holding a routine edge off Wood as Australia lost Usman Khawaja early in their innings.

Watch: Jonny Bairstow's Sensational Catch To Dismiss Mitchell Marsh During 4th Ashes Test

The first day of the ongoing fourth Ashes Test between England and Australia was no less than any rollercoaster ride as the dynamics of the game kept on changing. Opting to bowl first, the Ben Stokes-led side got an upper hand after Chris Woakes took four wickets but the likes of Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head helped Australia reach a total of 299/8 at stumps. The day also turned out to be really memorable for English wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow as he took three brilliant catches behind the stumps. Out of the three dismissals, the wicket of Mitchell Marsh became the highlight of the day.