Australia face tough final session under lights

Scott Bailey | July 9, 2023

Australia will be forced to navigate a dark and gloomy final session at Headingley on day three after the rain finally stopped following almost five hours of delays.

With the third Ashes Test evenly poised and Australia pushing for an unassailable 3-0 series lead, rain finally eased after tea on Saturday.

Play initially resumed for six balls, as Australia added two to their overnight score of 4-116 and lead of 142, before another shower began and players left the field.

Covers were briefly placed over the pitch, but that rain has now cleared and play is set to resume with Travis Head 19 not out and Mitch Marsh unbeaten on 18.

Play can go until as late as 7:30pm, if light permits.

Rain is also forecast for late on Sunday and through Monday afternoon, although with the pace at which the Test has so far been played a result is still likely.

A win for Australia would wrap up their first series win in England since 2001.

A draw would mean Australia retain the Ashes, although the players have made it clear they are in England with the aim of winning the series.

“It’s always about winning a series outright, so that’s the goal,” captain Pat Cummins said before the Test got under way. 

“We want to win one of these last three Test matches.

“We’re up for a win. A draw would be good in that it would retain the Ashes but we’ll be going after a win.”

England arrived on day three with a degree of confidence, drawing on successful chases of 296, 362 and 322 in their last three fourth-innings finishes at Headingley.