On This Day: Mark Wood and Chris Woakes Partnership Rescues England and Revives the 2023 Ashes

It was a hard-fought game with both teams giving it their all. England’s chase on the final day was full of drama and excitement, and the crowd was fully involved in every ball. The key moment came when Chris Woakes and Mark Wood built a match-winning partnership under pressure. Their calm but brave effort helped England win the game and stay alive in the series. Let’s relive this thrilling Test match.

Australia vs England: 3rd Test 2023

The 3rd Test of the 2023 Ashes at Headingley was a thrilling contest, with England securing a dramatic three-wicket win to trail 2-1 in the series. Choosing to bowl first, England’s Mark Wood dismantled Australia’s top order, while Mitchell Marsh’s century kept them competitive. England’s reply faltered early, but Ben Stokes’ brave 80 ensured they stayed close. Australia’s second innings set a 251-run target, with Travis Head’s 77 standing out. Rain added tension, but England’s chase, led by Harry Brook’s 75 and Chris Woakes’ unbeaten 32, clinched victory on July 9. Wood’s 5 wickets and 24 runs earned him Player of the Match.

Australia 1st Innings

Australia’s first innings began shakily after England opted to bowl on a lively Headingley pitch. Stuart Broad struck in the first over, removing David Warner for 4, caught by Zak Crawley at slip. Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne tried to rebuild, but Mark Wood’s express pace proved too much. Khawaja, battling for 37 balls, was bowled for 13, while Labuschagne, who scored 21 with four boundaries, edged to Joe Root at slip. Steven Smith, a key figure in Australia’s lineup, looked dangerous with a brisk 22, including a six, but Broad had him caught behind by Jonny Bairstow.

At 85/4, Australia were in deep trouble, with England’s bowlers exploiting the conditions. Mitchell Marsh turned the tide with a sensational 118 off 118 balls, smashing 17 fours and four sixes. His aggressive strokeplay, especially against Broad and Chris Woakes, swung momentum. Travis Head played a supporting role with a steady 39, and their 155-run fifth-wicket partnership frustrated England. However, Woakes broke through, dismissing Marsh, caught by Crawley, and Head soon after. Wood returned to wreak havoc, removing Alex Carey for 8, caught by Woakes, and dismissing Mitchell Starc (2) and Pat Cummins (0) in quick succession.

Todd Murphy’s brief 13, with three fours, ended when Wood bowled him, finishing with a stunning 5 for 34 in 11.4 overs. Australia were bowled out for 263 in 60.4 overs, with 23 extras boosting their total. Woakes supported with 3 for 73, while Broad took 2 for 58. England’s disciplined bowling, led by Wood’s raw pace, kept Australia’s score manageable, though Marsh’s explosive ton ensured they posted a competitive total on a pitch offering seam and bounce.

England 1st Innings

England’s response started poorly as Pat Cummins struck early, dismissing Ben Duckett for 2, caught by Alex Carey. Harry Brook fell for 3, trapped by Cummins, and Zak Crawley’s promising 33, with three fours, ended when Mitchell Marsh had him caught by David Warner. Joe Root, usually England’s anchor, scored 19 before Cummins bowled him, leaving England at 68/4. Jonny Bairstow’s 12 was cut short by Mitchell Starc, and at 87/5, England were in danger of collapsing.

Ben Stokes, the captain, counterattacked with a defiant 80 off 108 balls, hitting six fours and five sixes. His aggressive approach, especially against Cummins and Starc, kept England alive. Moeen Ali chipped in with 21, striking two fours, but Cummins dismissed him, continuing his dominance. Chris Woakes scored a quick 10, including a six, before Starc had him caught by Carey. Mark Wood provided a late spark, smashing 24 off just 8 balls, with a four and three sixes, thrilling the Headingley crowd.

Stuart Broad’s 7 and Ollie Robinson’s unbeaten 5 couldn’t push England past Australia’s total, and they were bowled out for 237 in 52.3 overs, 26 runs short. Cummins was the standout, taking 6 for 91 with relentless accuracy, while Starc claimed 2 for 59. Marsh and Todd Murphy took a wicket each. Extras, including 9 no-balls, added 21 runs to England’s cause. Stokes’ fighting knock was the highlight, ensuring England stayed competitive despite early struggles against Cummins’ fiery bowling.

Australia 2nd Innings

Australia’s second innings began with an early setback as Stuart Broad dismissed David Warner for just 1, caught by Zak Crawley. Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne steadied things with a 57-run stand, scoring 43 and 33 respectively. Khawaja played cautiously, while Labuschagne hit five fours before Moeen Ali’s spin dismissed him, caught by Harry Brook. Moeen struck again, removing Steven Smith for 2, caught by Ben Duckett, leaving Australia at 72/3.

Khawaja fell to Chris Woakes, caught by Bairstow, and at 90/4, Australia were under pressure. Travis Head led the fightback with a dynamic 77 off 112 balls, including seven fours and three sixes. His aggressive approach against England’s bowlers kept Australia ahead. Mitchell Marsh supported with 28, hitting five fours, but Woakes dismissed him, caught by Bairstow. Alex Carey’s 5 was ended by Woakes, and Mark Wood removed Mitchell Starc (16) and Pat Cummins (1) in quick succession.

Todd Murphy’s 11, with two fours, ended when Broad trapped him lbw. Head’s dismissal, caught by Duckett off Broad, wrapped up Australia’s innings at 224 in 67.1 overs. Broad took 3 for 45, Woakes claimed 3 for 68, and Moeen’s 2 for 34 provided crucial breakthroughs. Wood’s Vickers added pressure. Australia’s lead of 250 set England a challenging target, but their middle order’s inability to build on Head’s effort gave England a fighting chance.

England 2nd Innings

Chasing 251, England’s openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett started confidently, reaching 42 before Mitchell Starc trapped Duckett lbw for 23. Moeen Ali fell for 5, bowled by Starc, and Crawley’s 44, with five fours, ended when Mitchell Marsh had him caught by Alex Carey. Joe Root’s steady 21 offered hope, but Pat Cummins dismissed him, caught by Carey, leaving England at 131/4.

Ben Stokes, battling for 13, and Jonny Bairstow, with 5, both fell to Starc, and at 171/6, England’s chase looked shaky. Harry Brook rose to the occasion, scoring a gritty 75 off 93 balls, with nine fours and his composed batting kept England in the hunt. Brook’s 59-run partnership with Chris Woakes, who remained unbeaten on 32, turned the tide. Woakes played with calm assurance, hitting four fours, while Mark Wood’s unbeaten 16, including a four and a six, sealed the chase.

England reached 254/7 in 50 overs, winning with three wickets in hand and Starc was Australia’s best bowler, taking 5 for 78, while Cummins and Marsh claimed a wicket each. Extras, including 7 byes and 5 no-balls, added 20 runs and Brook’s resilience and Woakes’ steady hand, combined with Wood’s late flourish, delivered a famous victory, keeping the Ashes alive.