Woakes strikes before England openers hold firm in third Ashes Test

United Kingdom, July 8, 2023 (AFP) -Chris Woakes led the way with the ball before England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett held firm to give England the upper hand in a must-win third Ashes Test for the hosts against Australia at Headingley on Saturday.

Seam-bowling all-rounder Woakes, playing his first Test since March last year, took 3-68 as Australia were dismissed for 224 in their second innings on a rain-marred third day.

That left England, who trail 2-0 in the best-of-five series, needing 251 to win, with more than two days to get the runs on a ground where there have only been five previous successful chases in excess of 250 to win a Test.

At stumps they were 27-0 off just five overs, with Crawley (nine not out) and Duckett (18 not out) having struck four fours between them.

Ashes holders Australia were earlier indebted to Travis Head's 77.

After a lengthy rain delay, the match resumed at 1545 GMT with Australia 116-4.

Grey skies above made for difficult batting conditions, although England were a bowler down, with Ollie Robinson not used following his first-innings back spasm.

Nevertheless, Mitchell Marsh -- who had marked his first Test since 2019 with a run-a-ball 118 in Australia's first innings -- drove a Stuart Broad inswinger down the ground before square-cutting Woakes for another four.

Woakes, however, had his revenge with a burst of two wickets for seven runs in 13 balls.

He first dismissed Marsh (28) when the all-rounder tried to withdraw his bat to an outswinger only to edge to wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow.

New batsman Alex Carey walked out to a chorus of boos from a crowd still upset by his role in the controversial stumping of local hero Bairstow during Australia's 43-run win in the second Test at Lord's