Ashes 2019: 5 moments in the last 5 overs of the third Test which changed the match for England
The world witnessed an edge of the seat thriller on the fifth day of the third Test Match between Australia and England at Headingley in Leeds, with Ben Stokes continuing with his miraculous all-round performance.
The final day's play resumed with England at the score of 156 for 3. Joe Root was dismissed early on by Josh Hazlewood, with Jonny Bairstow coming out to bat. The partnership of 86 runs between Bairstow and Stokes kept the English dream alive. The dismissal of Bairstow led to the fall of successive wickets of Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes as England looked in danger.
Jofra Archer came out and hit some mighty blows. Archer was dismissed caught at deep square leg as he tried to clear the boundary. Broad soon followed Archer as England needed 73 to win with one wicket in hand. Jack Leach, who had earlier put on a spectacular display against Ireland scoring 92, held his end as Stokes steered England to an unimaginable victory. Five moments in the second innings which switched the game in favor of England are as follows:
#1 Throw at the wrong end as Stokes survives
With 48 runs needed at the end of the 120th over, Cummins bowled with Stokes at the other end. Stokes completed a double off the first ball whereas the second one was a dot ball. Stokes connected with his ramp shot in the third ball and cleared the boundary for a six.
Stokes hit the fourth ball of the over towards the leg side and called for two. The burly all-rounder slipped at the non-strikers end after completing the first run but the throw went to Leach's end, when he made his ground comfortably. Had the throw been at the striker's end, Ben Stokes could have been seen walking back with the Australian team winning the match.
#2 Josh Hazlewood concedes 19 runs off an over
Hazlewood bowled the next over with Stokes on strike. The pacer, who had earlier picked the all-important wicket of Joe Root, was smashed for a four and two sixes in the first three balls of his over.
Hazlewood's length was missing as Stokes cashed in on his loose bowling. The first ball was a length ball which went for a boundary. The next ball was a rare full-toss which Stokes scooped over deep square. The third ball was once again a length delivery which got smashed for another six. Hazlewood's over went for 19 runs as England needed 18 runs to win at the end of the over.
Also read – Ashes Highest Total chased