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The third test of the 2023 Ashes will be played at Headingley in Leeds from Thursday, 6 July. England would need to win the Test to survive the five-match series, having lost their first two matches. After a close loss at Edgbaston, England were hoping for a better result at Lord’s, but it was not.
They have a great chance of taking the early advantage in the Second Test after winning the toss and bowling first under cloudy conditions. However, they missed the chance as their bowlers allowed Australia to post 339/5 on the first day of the competition.
England recovered well to bowl out the Australians for 416. However, their Fighters failed to build on the fight, falling behind from 1/188 to 325, conceding an important first innings lead.
The hosts produced a fine trick from the short ball in the second innings, but the Australians did well enough to set England a narrow target of 371 runs. Despite Ben Stokes’ impressive 155, the English fell short, losing 0–2 in the second innings. Five rubber matches.
As England and Australia resume their 2023 Ashes battle at Headingley, we look back at the venue’s three most iconic Ashes encounters.
#3 (1989) – Australia won by 210 runs
The Australian team that went to England for the 1989 Ashes was described by the English media as the worst Australian team to ever visit its shores. However, Australia proved otherwise in their first Test at Headingley, defeating England by 210 runs.
Sent to bat after losing the toss, the visitors put on 601/7 declaring Mark Taylor scored 136 and Steve Waugh 177*. Skipper Allan Border (66) and Dean Jones (79) were close together with half-centuries in hand. Despite Allan Lamb’s 125, England were kept to 430 as Terry Alderman claimed 5/107.
Half centuries from Taylor and Border in the second innings saw Australia declare at 230/3. Set to chase 402, England finished with 191, with only Graham Gooch (68) crossing the half-century mark.
For Australia, Alderman took five more, and ran across England with figures of 5/44.
Australia won the series 4-0 and did not lose an Ashes series until 2005.
# 2 (1981) – England win by 18 runs
The 1981 Ashes are often referred to as Botham’s Ashes due to England’s previous multifunctional dominance in the series. The Third Test of the series at Headingley is remembered specifically for his legendary performance.
Australia were first in the match and made 401/9 declaring as John Dyson scored 102 and Kim Hughes 89. For England Sir Ian Botham shone with figures of 6/95. Dennis Lilley (4/49), Alderman (3/59) and Geoff Lawson (3/32) put in stellar performances for the visitors as the English were rolled for 174, Botham’s 50 being the only knock.
To follow on, England collapsed to 4/41. Geoff Boycott (46) and Peter Willey (33) offered some resistance, but the hosts appeared to go for all the money at 135/7. Botham then launched one of the greatest bats in Test history.
The all-rounder featured an eighth-wicket stand of 117 with Graham Dilley (56 from 75). Botham played some stunning knocking, hitting 27 fours and one six in an unbeaten tally of 149 off 148 balls.
England finished the second innings on 356. Bob Willis (8/43) then ran across Australia batting as the visitors collapsed for 111, chasing 130.
#1 (2019) – England won by 1 wicket
It was impossible to separate the 1981 and 2019 Tests when it came to choosing the first slot between the Ashes Tests at Headingley.
In the 2019 match, England were awkwardly bowled out for 67 in 27.5 overs, in response to Australia’s first innings total of 179. Josh Hazlewood emerged for the Australians with figures of 5/30.
A good combined effort from England’s bowlers took Australia to 246 in their second innings. Marnus Labuschagne, who scored 74 in the Australians’ first innings, contributed 80 in the second. Despite an impressive comeback, England needed 359 runs to win the Test match.
Opening hosts Rory Burns (7) and Jason Rowe (8) lost cheaply in the chase. Joe Root (77) and Joe Denley (50) gave England hope. But in 286/9, it seemed that only the formalities remained.
However, it is never over when Stokes is in the crease. The multi-tiered spell featured in a legendary stand with last man Jack Leach (1*) to take England home in one of Test cricket’s most famous matches.
In a stunning display, Stokes hit 11 fours and eight balls at 135* off 219 balls. The left-handed batter had some luck escaping a lbw dismissal as Australia had no review left.
There was also a slight run out chance missed by Nathan Lyon with Jack Leach getting off well with England only a few runs out of victory. However, Stokes deserved all the luck for playing great roles.
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