Ashes alive: England knock off record chase as series scoreline stands at one-all

73 runs to win on a weary fourth day wicket of a Test match and you’re left with the 11th man against the strongest bowling attack in the world. Somewhere the fear of loss overcomes all the possibilities of winning yet, you continue to conquer the unconquerable and perhaps in the middle of the journey you realise that it is achievable, so, why not give it a go?

Ben Stokes, England’s World Cup hero, scripted an unforgettable history at Headingly by scoring a stunning century and stitching an unbelievable 76 runs stand with Jack Leach. It was the second-highest tenth-wicket stand to win a Test match. Stokes’ 135 not out guided England’s highest-ever successful fourth-innings run chase.

How did it all happen?

Getting all-out for 67 runs in the first innings, England was thrown to the backseat by the Aussies. The dream of a comeback in the third Test was all but shattered. On the other end, Australia, as usual, was marching ahead to conquer another battle which they almost won. Marnus Labuschagne’s gritty 80 run knock in the second innings took Australia to a reasonable total of 246 runs. England had an uphill task on hand with a target of 359 runs.

Carrying the first innings’ demons, England lost two early wickets in Rory Burns and Jason Roy for a mere 15 runs. England were already on the backfoot and Aussies were on the top. English captain, Joe Root struggling with his form had to come out of all the insecurities and play the brand of cricket England is known for. Awaiting a captain’s knock in the dire situation, England desperately needed a solid partnership for the third wicket. Fortune favours the brave. Joe Root and Joe Denly put up a 126 run stand.

218 runs shy from the target, Denly (50) holed out to Tim Paine and 18 runs later, Joe Root (77) went. The dreams were shattered and the Ashes was slipping from the hands.

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