England’s thrilling win at Headingley keep the Ashes alive

England’s batsmen kept a raging Mitchell Starc at bay to pull one back in the series in an edge-of-the-seat thriller at Headingley on day four. Harry Brook’s aggressive 75 trumped Mitchell Starc’s five-wicket haul in a thrilling fourth day at Headingley that saw England record a tense win to keep the series alive at 2-1.

Starc, after creating havoc early in England’s innings, returned with Harry Brook carrying England close to a win and sent back the England batter with the hosts needing just over 20 runs to win. 

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The half-centurion had held England’s innings together after Australia kept picking up wickets at frequent intervals. From 171/6 after the lunch break, Brook and Chris Woakes pushed England close to victory with a half-century stand, but Brook’s ambitious pull shot nearly let Australia back into the game. 

But, Mark Wood hit a crucial six off Pat Cummins next over and then smashed a Starc half-volley for four next over to arrest any fears of an Australian comeback.

If England seemed on their way to an easy win at the lunch break, that quickly turned around after the break when Starc had Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow dismissed in quick succession.

With England still a bit away, the two big blows had the hosts on the back foot, but Brook was in pristine touch and continued to go for his shots. The extra batting option down the order in Woakes came to their aid too as the duo built a quick partnership that frustrated the visitors.

Brook completed 1000 Test runs, becoming the fastest to the milestone in terms of balls faced, and reached his fifty with Woakes too starting to find his feet at the other end. The partnership was broken at a crucial juncture when Brook was dismissed by Starc, but England kept their nerves to seal the win.