Brook, Woakes drag England back into Ashes series

NEW DELHI: A match-defining half-century from

Harry Brook

was followed by lower-order heroics from

Chris Woakes

and

Mark Wood

as England pipped Australia by three wickets in a thriller to remain alive in the

Ashes

series in Leeds on Sunday.
Trailing 0-2 in the series, England were in a must-win situation if they were to stop Australia retaining the Ashes and on the fourth day the trio of Brook, Woakes and Wood ensured Australia were denied a series sealing win.
Brook and Woakes shared a crucial partnership of 59 that took England to the brink of victory before the former fell for 75 to

Mitchell Starc

(5-78).
The recalled duo of Woakes (32 not out) and Mark Wood (16 not out) then saw England home with more than a day to spare to cut Australia’s series lead to 2-1.

The series continues with the fourth Test at Old Trafford starting on July 19, with Australia now having two games in which to seal their first Ashes campaign triumph in England in 22 years.
England are bidding to become just the second team to win a Test series from 2-0 down after the 1936/37 Australia side, inspired by batting great Don Bradman, that recovered from that deficit to win the Ashes 3-2.
(With inputs from AFP)