Mark Wood hits a 16-ball 40 and Stokes surpasses Dhoni as England continues their Leeds juggernaut with a record run-chase in the Ashes
England kept the 2023 Ashes alive by winning the third Test at Headingley by three wickets. The match was decided in two sessions on Day 4 during which England lost seven wickets. They kept chipping away at the goal of 251 in the second session, with Harry Brook shouldering much of the burden until falling when England needed just over 20 runs to win. Any hopes Australia had of winning the series were shattered by Mark Wood, who simply resumed up where he left off with the bat in the first innings. Chris Woakes then smashed a four to help England cross the finish line.
Wood finished unblemished with 16 points from eight shots. He had faced eight balls in the first innings as well, scoring an amazing 24 runs, bringing his match total to 40 from only 16 balls. His strike rate of 250 is the greatest of any player who has faced more than ten balls in a single Test.
With this victory, England captain Ben Stokes has surpassed former India captain MS Dhoni for the highest number of successful run chases with a target of more than 250. This is England's fifth chase of a target of 250 or more under Stokes, surpassing Dhoni's four. Brian Lara of the West Indies and Ricky Ponting of Australia are tied for third position with three wickets each.
England is also playing a part at Headingley. This is their fifth consecutive Test victory at the venue, dating back to an innings triumph over Pakistan in June 2018. Since then, England has notably defeated Australia by a single wicket in August 2019, India by an innings and 76 runs in August 2021, and New Zealand by seven wickets in June 2022.
If Australia had won the Ashes series in England on Sunday, it would have been their first since 2001. With England's win, the visitors' lead has been cut in half to 2-1. The fourth Test will now begin on July 19 at Old Trafford.