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England pulled back from a thrilling three-wicket win at Headingley to keep their Ashes 2023 hopes alive on home soil. The fiery bowling of Mark Wood (7 for 100) and a determined stand on 59 between Harry Brook and Chris Woakes helped the Three Lions chip away at 251 chasing.
The inclusion of Wood and Woakes in the Third Test boosted England’s pace department and also boosted the lower batting order.
Former Australian cricketer Ian Chappell has criticized England’s selection problems with the late entry of Wood in the Ashes. In his latest ESPNCricinfo column, Chappelle said:
“They introduced late big-hearted Mark Wood into the series and he proved his worth with a high-paced attack at Headingley. Wood’s inclusion underlined England’s enduring failure: selection.”
Chappell further questioned the position of fire-under-fire Jonny Bairstow and spinner Moeen Ali, who came out of retirement to join England’s Ashes after two years.
He also wrote:
Not only did they fail to deliver his menacing pace until the Third Test, they chose a wicket-keeper who was the batsman first, in Johnny Bairstow, whose errors with gloves cost his team dearly. They also chose to offer a red-carpet treatment to Moeen Ali, who was not in his prime. threatens Australia with bowling or batting”.
Bairstow missed three catches at Headingley to add to his woes after he missed a great chance against Cameron Green in the Ashes opener. Meanwhile, Moeen Ali scored 63 runs in two matches at an average of 15.75 and returned five bats for a head.
“Australia will go on to win the Ashes” – Ian Chappell
Australia narrowly won in Birmingham and had to beat Ben Stokes’ attack late on to win by 43 runs to take a 2-0 lead. England sent a strong statement across that they could not be written off after their brilliance at Headingley.
Predicting the results of Ashes 2023 after the completion of three Tests, Ian Chappell described the visitors as the favorites but praised Stokes’ qualities for inspiring his group. The 79-year-old said:
Halfway through the Lord’s Test I felt Australia were ready to run away with the Ashes. However, I failed to think about Stokes’ fantastic inspiring qualities. Australia would go on to win the Ashes, but it will be a tough fight against an England side who continue to compete despite poor the choice “.
England and Australia will clash again when the fourth Ashes test begins on July 19 at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester.
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