Ashes 2023 | Woakes, Wood Put England In A Commanding Position On A Rain-Hit Day 3

Chris Woakes celebrates with his teammates after getting rid off Mitch Marsh [Image- Twitter]

Persistent rain which washed out a major part of the 3rd days' play wasn't a hindrance for England as the home side took total control of the Leeds' Test through skillful bowling under overheads conditions to bowl Australia out for 224 in the 3rd innings and finish the day at 27/0 in their pursuit of 251 runs.

As was predicted, the proceedings of the third days' play started after a lengthy delay due to heavy rain in Leeds, but when it did start, the duo of Chris Woakes and Mark Wood did all the talking.

Under perfect conditions for seam and swing bowling, Woakes made the ball talk and was eventually rewarded with the prized scalps of Mitch Marsh and Alex Carey, both of whom were unsure of what to do with the length deliveries on off-stump and ended up nicking and playing it on the stumps respectively.

While Woakes got the ball talking, Wood got it flying, and in the process, he bounced out Mitch Starc before nicking off Aussie skipper Pat Cummins.

However, Travis Head counterpunched his way to yet another half-century (77 off 112) before Stuart Broad returned to wrap up Australia's innings at 224.

Chasing 251, English openers Zak Crawley (9* off 11) and Ben Duckett (18* off 19) knocked off 27 runs from the target in just 5 overs to round off a dominant day for the Ben Stokes-led hosts.

Brief Scores:

Australia: 263 all out (60.4)

Mitchell Marsh 118 (118), Travis Head 39 (74)

Mark Wood 5-34 (11.4), Chris Woakes 3-73 (17)

England: 237 all out (52.3)

Ben Stokes 80 (108), Zak Crawley 33 (39)

Pat Cummins 6-91 (18), Mitchell Starc 2-59 (14)

Australia: 224-10 (67.1)

Travis Head 77 (112), Usman Khawaja 43 (96), Marnus Labuschagne 33 (77)

Stuart Broad 3/45 (14.1) Chris Woakes 3-68 (18)

England: 27/0 (5)

Ben Duckett 18* (19), Zak Crawley 9* 11)

England need another 224 run to win the Test