England solidified their position as they are moving ever so closer to making the series 2-2. Ashes 2023 test at Manchester saw the English bowlers show their dominance with the ball. Mark Wood’s spell at the end of Day 3 had the Australians gasping still 162 runs in arrears with 2 full days of cricket left to play. A win for England will tie the series against all odds after losing the first two games. The two losses at Edgbaston and Lords had courted criticism for the Baz-Ball style of play.
The story so far –
England came out to play on day 3 with an overall lead of 67 after ending day 2 at 384/4. Harry Brooks and Ben Stokes resumed batting in a bid to further stretch the lead after 189 by Zak Crawley and fifties by Moeen Ali and Joe Root had given England the advantage.
Bairstow stuns literally everyone –
English wicket keeper batter, Jonny Bairstow has been having a mixed Ashes 2023 so far. With the gloves Bairstow has been having a tough time, while with the bat he has been enduring mixed run of form. It was all different on Friday as he provided England, with the perfect finish in their 1st innings.
Bairstow was brutal on every Australian bowler as he was seen smashing them all over the park. Bairstow, hit four sixes with one six in particular that left Ben Stokes shocked. While batting on 80, Pat Cummins bowled on a length to Bairstow. The English wicket keeper and batter cleared his leg and smacked it over the deep midwicket fence for a six that left Ben Stokes in shock and awe.
Bairstow left stranded on 99 –
It was heartbreak for Jonny Bairstow as he was left not out on 99 after local boy James Anderson fell for 5. Bairstow was batting on 40 when Mark Wood fell for 8 at lunch, this was followed by the wicket of Stuart Broad for 7. With James Anderson by his side, Bairstow began to tear the Australian bowlers apart. He added 66 for the last wicket with Anderson which came in just 8.1 overs. Just when it looked like Bairstow would get his ton, Cameron Green dismissed Anderson for 5 courtesy LBW to break a million hearts.
Left stranded at 9️⃣9️⃣* but won everyone's heart over 💯 times 😍
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 21, 2023
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Australia lose four as England steal the march –
Facing the daunting task of needing to score above 275 runs to make England bat again, Australia stumbled on day three. Mark Wood picked 3 wickets while Chris Woakes picked 1 to have the visitors reeling. Wood began by dismissing Khawaja for 18, Woakes then got the wicket of Warner for 28. Smith and Labuschagne fought back with 43 run stand before Wood got Smith for 17 and then dismissed Travis Head with a short ball for 1. At stumps Australia were 113/4, still adrift by 162 runs with Labuschagne batting on 44 and Mitchell Marsh on 1.