Ashes 2019: Joe Root makes fighting fifty as England keep faint third Test hopes alive

Catch-up on how all the action unfolded on Day Three at Headingley

Ashes third Test preview

England fought their way to 155-3, but Australia remain favourites to win the third Ashes Test.

Joe Root and Joe Denly both passed fifty in pursuit of a target of 359, and though the latter departed soon after reaching his half-century, England’s captain remains unbeaten overnight on 75.

Root’s fine hand ensures England maintain slim hopes of pulling off the most remarkable of chases, and you can see how the third day’s action all unfolded below:

When is the third Test?

The third Test takes place on 22-26 August.

What time does it start?

The toss takes place at 10:30am in Thursday, with play scheduled to get underway at 11am each day.

Where can I watch it?

Live coverage of each day’s play will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports The Ashes from 10am.

Odds

England to win: 8/11

Australia to win: 21/10

Draw: 29/4

Prediction

England to win: As long as the weather plays ball, this could be the moment the series swings in England’s favour. With Jofra Archer set to renew his bowling assault and no Steve Smith to dig Australia out of trouble, England should be able to level the series here with bright sunshine forecast for the weekend.

Key Points

• England close Day Three on 155-3, requiring a further 203 runs for victory
• Captain Joe Root remains at the crease on 75 not out
• Joe Denly and Root shared a fighting hundred partnership before the former fell to Josh Hazlewood
• Australia will retain the Ashes if they win the third Test

[25 August 2019 12:08 · Callum Rice-Coates]

84.2 England 190-4 (target 359), Bairstow 15, Stokes 13

Stokes has had enough of hanging about. Cummins sends in a short and wide delivery, which Stokes swings his bat at. It's top edged, but flies away for four.

[25 August 2019 12:10 · Callum Rice-Coates]

85.0 England 192-4 (target 359), Bairstow 15, Stokes 15

Stokes picks the gap on the leg side and ends the over with another two runs. Just a few signs that he's looking to take the game to Australia's bowlers now. His 15 runs have come off 87 balls, while Bairstow is on 15 from 25.

[25 August 2019 12:12 · Callum Rice-Coates]

85.2 England 196-4 (target 359), Bairstow 19, Stokes 15

Another brilliant shot from Bairstow, this time a perfectly-timed punch down the ground. That made a satisfying noise off the middle of the bat.

[25 August 2019 12:15 · Callum Rice-Coates]

86.0 England 199-4 (target 359), Bairstow 20, Stokes 17

Stokes brings out a straight drive of his own, but it doesn't quite have the legs to reach the boundary. Runs are coming a lot more easily now for England. And a bit of frustration appears to be creeping in for Australia's quick bowlers.

[25 August 2019 12:17 · Callum Rice-Coates]

86.1 England 201-4 (target 359), Bairstow 22, Stokes 17

Bairstow, unconvincingly, hits one away on the off side. But it brings two runs and 200 comes up for England. It's greeted by a huge cheer. 158 more needed to win.

[25 August 2019 12:19 · Callum Rice-Coates]

86.4 England 205-4 (target 359), Bairstow 22, Stokes 17

Pattinson is bowling now having started the day exceptionally well. But Bairstow is proving a nuisance. Another delivery clips his pads and races away fine for four more.

[25 August 2019 12:21 · Callum Rice-Coates]

87.0 England 212-4 (target 359), Bairstow 24, Stokes 17

The Headingley crowd are loving this! Pattinson's over ends with an awful wide delivery, which flies past the slips and runs through to the boundary. And then Bairstow picks up another couple on the leg side. Runs are coming quickly here for England.

[25 August 2019 12:28 · Callum Rice-Coates]

88.0 England 215-4 (target 359), Bairstow 26, Stokes 18

Three runs come from Hazlewood's 24th over. Bairstow picks up another two runs from a thick outside edge with the final delivery. He's changed the dynamic of this game since coming to the crease. Australia's field is a little more defensive, and their energy levels have dropped significantly after a lively start to the day.

[25 August 2019 12:31 · Callum Rice-Coates]

88.4 England 219-4 (target 359), Bairstow 26, Stokes 22

A lovely cut shot for four from Stokes, who capitalises on a poor delivery from Pattinson. He's faced 98 balls for his 22 runs, and clearly intends to stick around until the end.

[25 August 2019 12:33 · Callum Rice-Coates]

89.0 England 220-4 (target 359), Bairstow 26, Stokes 23

Another good over for England. The momentum has shifted in their favour since Root's dismissal. Bairstow and Stokes have put on 61 runs in this partnership so far.