The third Ashes Test began at Headingley in Leeds, with England captain Ben Stokes winning the toss and electing to field first. This is a series decider for the hosts. The English bowlers were on the money right from the start, with sheer pace and bounce. Mark Wood's return has been superb with blistering deliveries, while Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes were in complete command in the first session, giving England the upper hand.
Australia opened their account with a boundary when David Warner smashed Broad for four on the very first ball of the innings. However, the pacer once again dominated the Southpaw, dismissing him on the fifth ball of the over for a record 16th time in Test cricket. Woakes and Wood continued the momentum and the latter made another big breakthrough by dismissing Usman Khawaja on the last ball before lunch.
Wood was breathing fire with his lethal pace attack and with a 153kmph delivery, he cleaned up Australia's in-form batter. In the 13th over of the first innings, Wood bowled a full, straight in-swinger that sent Khawaja’s leg-stump flying. The Aussie opener went forward to play an on-drive but missed it completely.
Watch the video below:
Now this is what Eng was missing- lethal pace!! 🔥
— info (@info90582) July 6, 2023
Can England reduce their deficit at Headingley?
Australia currently have a lead in the five-match series by 2-0 after winning by two wickets at Edgbaston and by 43 runs at Lord's. A draw or win in the ongoing match will help Australia retain the Ashes. However, Jonny Bairstow's controversial dismissal on Day 5 at Lord's, which cost England the match, has fueled England's fire for the rest of the series and was evident in their performances at Headingley so far.
Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Todd Murphy, Scott Boland
England (Playing XI): Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow(w), Ben Stokes(c), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad
Here's how the fans reacted to Mark Wood's 'bullet' delivery to dismiss Usman Khawaja:
Where are you Mark Wood in the last two test 😯😯
— Sarfaraj Alam (@Sarfaraj789014) July 6, 2023
What a scene for a fast bowler 😳
— 🦉 (@sparkle_forrest) July 6, 2023
Pingland beached him for lobinson 😭😭😭
— Abhishek (@down_the_leg) July 6, 2023
Now this is what Eng was missing- lethal pace!! 🔥
— info (@info90582) July 6, 2023
First few overs were just deadly
— jai shri ram (@CollageJai) July 6, 2023
What a ball! 😍 No better sight in World Cricket then watching Mark Wood absolutely steam in to bowl rockets at the batsmen! 🔥❤️
— Fantasy Cricket Tips To Win (@FantasyTipToWin) July 6, 2023
Goli ki tarah gai h🔥
— Aakash (@kyafarkpadtah_) July 6, 2023
wooahhhhh 🔥🔥🔥 #markwood
— Sai APPALA (@Saiappala45) July 6, 2023