Harry Brook announced himself on the Ashes stage with a match-winning knock for England that kept the series alive and delivered another memorable Headingley climax.

Brook batted with great maturity as he made a steely 75, taking a decisive chunk out of the 251-run target and set a fire under this summer’s rivalry, leaving Australia 2-1 ahead with two to play.

The Yorkshireman fell with 21 still needed as the third Test descended into nerve-shredding tension, but Mark Wood cut through the anxiety with a feisty 16 not out and Chris Woakes completed a remarkable return to the Test arena by crunching the winning runs towards the delirious Western Terrace to finish unbeaten on 32.

England’s three-wicket win was achieved despite Ben Stokes’ dismissal for just 13, a soft nick down the leg-side robbing the hosts of their inspirational captain and the architect of their 2019 Ashes miracle here at the start of the decisive final session.

Mastering the chase

  1. 378/3 v India – won by seven wickets, July 2022
  2. 299/5 v New Zealand – won by five wickets, June 2022
  3. 296/3 v New Zealand – won by seven wickets, June 2022
  4. 279/5 v New Zealand – won by five wickets, June 2022
  5. 251/7 v Australia – won by three wickets, July 2023

What they said

Neser up

Could Michael Neser play in the fourth Test? (Nick Potts/PA)
Could Michael Neser play in the fourth Test? (Nick Potts/PA)

The magic number

  • Pat Cummins (Australia): 11 in 17 matches
  • Nathan Lyon (Australia): 8 in 29 matches
  • Mitchell Starc (Australia): 8 in 20 matches
  • Josh Hazlewood (Australia): 8 in 16 matches
  • Trent Boult (New Zealand): 7 in 14 matches

Record-Brooking Harry

Mark Wood won the man of the match award (Mike Egerton/PA)
Mark Wood won the man of the match award (Mike Egerton/PA)

What’s next?

The teams will have a week’s rest before reconvening for a crucial fourth Test, starting on July 19 at Emirates Old Trafford.

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