In the third Test against Australia on Friday at Headingley, Moeen Ali scored two consecutive goals after England captain Ben Stokes’ explosive 80, his most recent brisk effort, had kept the hosts’ Ashes hopes alive.
Australia was 142 runs ahead at 116-4 in their second innings at the end of the second day, looking to take a 3-0 series lead and win the Ashes for the first time in England since 2001.
In Australia’s first innings of 263, Mitchell Marsh, who had already played his first Test in over four years, was 17 not out and Travis Head was undefeated at 18.
A second strong partnership would probably put England out of the match because of the pair’s crucial 155-run collaboration that helped secure a lead in the first inning.
When Moeen took two wickets for two runs in nine balls to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, two of the world’s top three Test batters, Australia was in complete control at 68-1.
When England dropped to 142-7 at lunch, they ran the danger of giving up a large first-innings advantage.
Nevertheless, all-rounder Stokes’ outstanding performance helped England to 237 all out, a deficit of only 26 runs, despite Australia skipper Pat Cummins’ excellent 6-91 performance.
Stokes also scored a scorching 155 in the second Test last week at Lord’s, which resulted in a 43-run loss for England.
The innings on Friday brought up memories of Stokes’ incredible unbeaten century, which helped England win the Ashes by one wicket at Headingley four years ago.
– Broad signs Warner once again –
David Warner was then dismissed by Stuart Broad for the 17th time in Tests after being caught in the slips for one run.
With paceman Ollie Robinson out due to a back spasm, Australia seemed to be wearing down England, but that was before Moeen’s incredible double blow.
When Labuschagne foolishly flicked Moeen to deep square leg, he was already 33 runs down and was out when wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow, who was already under pressure, failed to hold a difficult diving chance.
After scoring a superb 100 at Lord’s in his 100th Test, Smith was dismissed for only two runs when he lashed Moeen straight to midwicket, giving the spinner his 200th Test wicket.
Usman Khawaja, the obstinate opener who has been a constant pain in England’s side throughout this series, was ultimately caught behind after being squared-up by Chris Woakes, one of three changes to the lineup that lost at Lord’s along with Moeen and express fast Mark Wood. Khawaja was eventually out for 43.
In front of their Yorkshire home crowd, England had earlier began play on 68-3 with Joe Root 19 not out and Bairstow, whose dramatic stumping departure at Lord’s sparked a fierce argument, undefeated on one.
The top batsman, though, was dismissed for his overnight total on the second ball of the day when he hesitantly edged Cummins to Warner at first slip.
When Bairstow drove flat-footedly at Mitchell Starc’s left-arm quickness for 12, Smith held a superb grab at second slip.
When Woakes went out to the last ball before lunch, England was seven runs behind.
But after taking a stunning 5-34 on Thursday, fast bowler Wood smashed Starc for a six, a four, and another six off his first three deliveries on the route to a lightning-quick 24.
After dismissing Durham teammate Wood, Stokes, who was in at 68-4, picked up the pace with three straight boundaries.
However, Todd Murphy, an off-spinner, delivered two consecutive balls that gave him two reprieves on 45.
Before Murphy, who was brought up when Nathan Lyon suffered a tour-ending leg injury at Lord’s, failed to hold a hard-hit return catch, Starc dropped Stokes in the deep.
When Stokes drove Murphy for a straight six, he reached fifty in style. The very next delivery, he instantly duplicated the dosage.
After hitting Murphy for another six, he holed out to finish a 108-ball inning that included five sixes and six fours.
