Pat Cummins: “There’s a few moments that went back and forth. Day one we lost 6 for 20-odd, yesterday the sun was out and we missed an opportunity. Few key moments. Seems like a series where each sessions swings in one team’s favour and then the other. [Moeen spell] One of those moments when it felt like we were in control but we lost a couple of wickets and that happens. Thought getting up to 250 gave us something but it wasn’t quite enough.
[Warner] He was fantastic last week at Lord’s, really happy with how everyone’s going. [Marsh] Good problems to have. He was awesome, four years last game. Great to see him back in, few headaches ahead. Few days off to recharge, people are flying off to various places but we’ll come back together excited for Manchester.”
Ben Stokes: “Really good, another down-to-the wire game. Nice to get over the line and keep our hopes alive. Bit of both, it looked a good wicket, you’d seen that by the way Mitch Marsh came out and batted, he turned the game when we were in a good position. Got to give credit to how he took the game on. Obvious if you get in you could score runs. We brought Woody and Woakes back in and it’s great when decisions like that impact the game. That’s what we look at, what impact can players have and how can we use them.
All three of those guts did that this week. [Woakes] I didn’t even look at he fact it’s been so long since he’d played red-ball. He’s a quality performer. He’s Mr Consistent. Having someone who can bat like the can at No. 8 is a massive help, when the ball’s doing a bit in the air or off the pitch he’s massively in the game. [Wood] When you’ve got someone who can come in and bowl 95mph, it’s a massive help. It impacts the game, whether he’s taking wickets at one end or they come at the other.
Great to see him smiling, running in and bowling rockets. And with the bat, he’s a free spirit, and very clear in his mind. He walked out knowing how he wanted to take the game on, doesn’t always come off but it gives you a batter chance. [Moeen at No.3] Mo always wants to impact the game, he said to Brendon Last night that he wanted to take them on and have a crack at No. 3. Felt like he could have an impact up the order.
[Break before Old Trafford] I think it will be great for both teams, it’s 2-1 and the next game is vital, so we want to be fresh and ready. Three games of unbelievable cricket, so the break will do quite a few bodies the world of good. Sensational, we love coming here and playing cricket. This place has memories that people will always remember and we love playing here.”
Player of the Match Mark Wood: “Definitely, delighted to be here, especially as man of the match. Great win for us and it keeps the series alive. I was not good in that dressing room. The lads will tell you, sweaty palms all the way. But it’s a lot easier out in the middle To go up against some of the best fast bowlers in the world, it’s the first time I’ve got England over the line with the bat so I’m delighted. [Allrounder status] Too early for that, any higher and I’ll be getting a nosebleed.
I don’t know if it’s the quickest, coming down the hill I was thinking of Bob Willis. Stokesy was very clear about my role, bowl short, sharp spells and give it everything I’ve got. There’s still things to work on. Both sides have gone hard at the tail and that’s something we’ll have to combat. [First innings 24] I was pleased with it, don’t know about the impact. Delighted to get some runs. The support everywhere we go is amazing, but it’s always better in the north, isn’t it? [Fit for final two?] Hope so, we’ll see how I pull up but will do everything I can to be ready.”
England vs Australia Highlights today. Sunday 9-7-2023, The Ashes 2023 3rd Test Highlights, From Headingley, Leeds.
Toss: England chose to field.
England team: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow †, Ben Stokes (c), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood.
Australia team: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey †, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Todd Murphy.
Head to Head In test’s: 358
England Won: 110
Australia Won: 152
England test Rankings: 3rd
Australia test Rankings: 2nd
Form guide
(Last five matches, most recent first)
England LLWLW
Australia WWWDW
Match Timings: 10:00 AM GMT | 11:00 AM Local
Umpires – Kumar Dharmasena, Nitin Menon
TV Umpire – Joel Wilson
Match Referee – Ranjan Madugalle
Reserve Umpire – Mike Burns
Match number – Test no. 2509
