'Match might not even go to the third session!' - Fans react to equation on Day 4 of third Test of Ashes 2023

Ben Stokes (Source: Twitter)

The third Test of Ashes 2023 between England and Australia has taken a thrilling route, as the home side is desperate for a victory. Despite rain winning the day, England was able to make a move in the Test. If not for Travis Head’s counterattacking knock with the tail, Australia would’ve well been out of the contest. Regardless, the equation for the Test is well poised at the end of the third day. England needs 224 more runs to win the Test. Australia need 10 wickets to win the third Test.

For now, it’s almost even Stevens at Headingley. No team has any advantage in the Test. England's openers survived in the tricky 5 overs phase towards the end of the third day, despite some close chances not going Australia’s way. The pitch is neither a belter nor flat enough to have bowlers out of the contest. Skilled and patient batters can score runs. At the same time, bowlers who can extract something out of the pitch can always make an impact.

The crucial first session on Day 4

England would be looking for quick runs, as always. Australia will look to close out the innings as soon as possible before it could go away from them. The crowd with their support to the home side can play a crucial role in the Test. England batters cannot think too ahead in the game. Australian bowlers should not be complacent. England batters can look for runs, but the Australian bowlers should not think that they can dismiss the batters easily against the run of play.

The first session of the day’s play would decide the outcome of the Test most likely. If England can manage to score in and around 100 runs without losing more than 3 wickets, they would be happy. If the visiting side can claim 5 wickets in the morning session by getting something out of the pitch, they can well have their say in the Test. Either way, it will be a fascinating contest between the bat and the ball.

Here's how the fans predicted the result of the Test: 

Cakewalk for Eng this time , irony is that eng have almost outplayed aus everytime this series , Aus won the important moments that got them 2-0, first test was eng second test if stokes didn’t fell short it would have been 1-1

— Deepanshu Arora (@Deepanshu6019) July 9, 2023

Bazball >>>Cumball

— Dhruv  (@imdhruv2007) July 8, 2023

Match might not even go to the third session!

— ```~_Saksham_~``` (@Its_SakshamR) July 9, 2023

Australia should win, but i think they will lose

— varun (@drvk773) July 8, 2023

Seems easy win for Poms

— Sandip Ramani (@SandipRamani) July 8, 2023

Going to be a close match. Eng will scrap through winning by 2 or 3 wickets. Stroke and Broad will get through the target.

— cricfan (@CrickidaV) July 8, 2023

Why does the overs bowled matters? England have 2 full days on their hands lol. I don't think any of the team cares about that. That's enough for australia to bowl them out and for England to chase that down.

— Bored. (@MessiStan02) July 8, 2023

ENG winning

— Dr Khushboo 🇮🇳 (@khushbookadri) July 8, 2023

Weather overcast first session, but then rain predicted.

— Premal (@PremalMadhavji) July 9, 2023