The Ashes is well and truly alive after Ben Stokes produced one of the all-time great performances to level the series at 1-1.
Here, the PA news agency looks at the key questions going forward:
How did England celebrate?
Not sure he can quite believe what he’s just done? @benstokes38 #Ashes ????????? pic.twitter.com/R5Yi1Oi4Ri
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) August 25, 2019
In the hours after Stokes put the finishing touches to his epic, match-winning 135 not out England lingered in the dressing room at Headingley, toasting their success with a few well-earned beers on the balcony. They later wandered out to the scene of their triumph and there was even a sighting of number 11 Jack Leach recreating the scampered single that tied the scores for his onlooking team-mates.
How long did the party last?
How did the result go down in Australia?
COMMENT | Amid the fawning hero-worship for Ben Stokes, let’s remember one fact: he was out. Bungling umpire Joel Wilson could do with a visit to SpecSavers, writes @walmason. #Ashes19 https://t.co/JYsrPZevbQ
— Australian Opinion (@AusOpinion) August 26, 2019
There was overwhelming respect and praise for the man of the moment – not least from Australia captain Tim Paine – but there was a handful of slightly saltier takes emerging overnight, focusing on umpire Joel Wilson’s not out decision when Stokes was lbw to Nathan Lyon with England one run short. Fox Sports led their coverage with the headline “How the hell did that happen? Umpire howler robs fumbling Aussies as Stokes pulls off Ashes miracle” and The Australian offered “Ashes 2019: Ben Stokes was out so 3rd Test heroics should not have counted”.
Was Wilson really wrong after all?
What next for England?
Re-live one of the greatest days in the history of Test cricket… ??? pic.twitter.com/ltPVXWFxBk
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 26, 2019
Mostly, some well-earned time off. The fourth Test does not begin until September 4 and the squad will be sent home for rest and recuperation. More interesting is the role of the selection panel – Ed Smith, James Taylor, Joe Root and Trevor Bayliss. They must decide whether to bolster a batting order which has been under-performing for some time or seek to capitalise on the feelgood factor from Headingley and keep the same band of brothers together.
So can we expect changes?
And what about Australia?
Classy response from Tim Paine after a heartbreaking loss for the Aussies #Ashes pic.twitter.com/eEuzKYtCaG
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 25, 2019
The shell-shocked tourists will be back on the field in a three-day tour match against Derbyshire starting on Thursday. Providing he gets the green light after a concussion absence, star batsman Steve Smith will be making his return and there will be outings for the likes of Mitchell Starc – leading wicket-taker at the recent World Cup but yet to feature in the series – and Mitch Marsh.
