Australia set England 251 in fourth innings in Leeds

Scott Bailey | July 9, 2023

Australia must defend 251 if they want to wrap up the Ashes at Headingley, after they were bowled out for 224 during a brutal evening session on day three of the third Test.

After rain washed out the first two sessions on Saturday, Australia were tasked with an uncomfortable few hours under lights at Headingley.

Ultimately, Australia could not survive the entire session, losing six wickets in 20.1 overs as only Travis Head hit them out of trouble with 77.

Playing a Ben Stokes-like innings, a swashbuckling Head managed the strike and targeted the boundaries despite England having nine men on the ropes.

He hit seven fours and three big sixes that sailed over the legside and well into the crowd before he finally perished in the deep to Stuart Broad (3-45).

With Todd Murphy (11) at the other end, Head helped put on 41 for the ninth wicket and then another 13 for the final stand with Scott Boland.

England will now face an equally difficult 24 minutes in the middle to close out day three.

Australia can feel unfortunate they were forced to bat in the most difficult conditions of the match, with the ball moving around under heavy cloud cover.

But they must also reflect on several brain fades in good conditions in the evening of day two, which ultimately left their lower-order quickly exposed.

Both Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith fell to poor shots in successive Moeen Ali overs, during a session in which Australia lost three wickets.

Then, in conditions that made it much more difficult to bat on Saturday, wickets fell.

Mitch Marsh was caught behind when he tried to get on the front foot and leave Chris Woakes (3-68), only for the ball to brush his bat.

Alex Carey went in similar circumstances, chopping on to a Woakes ball that bounced more than he expected when he tried to leave it.

Mitchell Starc was also caught when tucked up on the legside by Mark Wood and Harry Brook ran back to catch it from short leg, before Pat Cummins was caught behind off the quick.

Murphy then hung around for close to five overs with Head before he was lbw to Stuart Broad.

Rain is 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.

History is on England’s side as they fight to stay in the series, with the last three fourth-innings finishes at Headingley being successful chases of 296, 362 and 322.