England vs Australia – Ashes LIVE: Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root are at the crease as England kick off Day Two trailing by 195 runs on 68/3
Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for Day Two of the third Ashes Test at Headingley, as England look to fight back against Australia.
Host commentator
Here come the players.
Should be a great day.
Speaking on Sky Sports, the former England player said: ‘Given the way the ball moved yesterday, I think having runs on the board will be important for Australia.
‘England have a couple of Yorkies at the crease and the crowd will very much be behind them. As we have seen here over the years, if you get in and start making runs you can score quickly and put the opposition under pressure.
‘It sounds boring to say but the first hour is crucial. The ball is still relatively new and will nip around and do plenty. England may have to leave a few balls but if they get through that there are runs to be made. The game is on a knife-edge.’
– Mark Wood’s first spell on day one was the second fastest by a bowler in England on record
– England’s opening partnership in this series is averaging 33.40. That’s the highest they have managed in an Ashes since 2010/11
– Stuart Broad needs five wickets for 600 in Test cricket
The sun is out ☀️
The outfield is quick ⚡️
And we’ve got two local lads at the crease ✊
Who’s ready for Day 2 🙋♂️#EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/jWwRoZHk0E
pic.twitter.com/gAE4wzpTes
Just over 30 minutes until day two gets going.
The forecast wasn’t wrong. It’s a stunning day in Leeds.
Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow can bat away their costly dropped catches as England look to assume control of an evenly-poised third Test at Headingley.
The Yorkshire pair each put down two chances on the opening day, with Root’s spillage of Mitch Marsh on 12 especially expensive as the recalled Australia all-rounder went on to make a run-a-ball 118.
Dropping catches is like a virus and it’s continuing to hurt England. They’ve now put 14 down this series and it can’t keep happening, considering how vital slip-catching is at Headingley
Read the full column by clicking below.
Mark Wood has warned Australia he can bowl even faster after registering a record top speed of 96.5mph at Headingley on Thursday and claiming his first five-wicket haul on home soil.
‘It’s disappointing that it wasn’t the first. To have two of the fastest is great, but I keep wanting to get better and to push and push – and to make sure that I bowl even faster.
‘The last couple of years have proved I can. My average pace could be quicker. I have come into this game off the back of four-over spells, so I haven’t actually played a lot of Test cricket.
‘Ben Stokes was really clear before the game that he just wanted me to bowl fast in short spells. We are 2-0 down and we are looking for wickets. That first spell was as good as I have felt at home in an England shirt. I’ve felt for a while that I’ve got a point to prove here.
‘All my good stuff has happened away from home, so to be able to finally do it at home was a massive relief. My mam and dad were here and it’s the first time they have seen me get five wickets, so to be able to raise the ball to them was a special moment. It was an incredible feeling.’
Day one of the third Test at Headingley ebbed and flowed in typical Ashes fashion on Thursday, as England bowled Australia out for 263 before falling to 68-3 at stumps.
Centurion Mitchell Marsh was the only batter in Australia’s order who looked comfortable against England’s ferocious bowling attack, spearheaded by paceman Mark Wood, as he knocked an impressive 118 on his return to the side.
After picking up the crucial wicket of Usman Khawaja, Wood skittled Australia’s tail to record his first ever five-wicket haul on home soil, rescuing the hosts after a series of poor dropped catches in the slip cordon.
Although England felt they had the upper hand, Australia bounced back with a vengeance in the field, dismissing Ben Duckett, Harry Brook and Zak Crawley in the evening to leave Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow at the crease ahead of Friday.
But which side won the first day’s cricket? Click below to see LAWRENCE BOOTH’s verdict.
Today is the day we can get back into this series and setup the final two Tests! #BatWell 🙏🏽#Ashes
Should be no problems as far as the weather is concerned today. Pure sunshine forecast for the entire day which should be a good sign for England’s batsmen .
Morning everyone and welcome to Mail Sport’s coverage of day two of the third Ashes Test!
A brilliant first day saw England make a strong start with Mark Wood taking five for 34 as Australia were all out for 263.
However, the Aussies got the early wickets they were looking for, leaving England on 68-3 with Root and Bairstow at the crease.
So sit back and relax as we build up to what promises to be another captivating day.
Source: Read Full Article