Chris Woakes urged England to recreate the spirit of Headingley 2019 as they look to revive their Ashes hopes against Australia, but without any of the accompanying tension.
England ended Saturday’s rain-marred third day of the third Test on 27-0 in pursuit of a victory target of 251. Ben Duckett is on 18* and Zak Crawley 9*.
They have two days in which to score the remaining 224 runs they require but the pressure is on England in a match, at 2-0 down with three to play, they must win if they are to regain the Ashes.
But rain could interrupt the chase, after wet weather ruled out more than two sessions on Day 3. The forecast is better for the fourth day, but rain could arrive after lunch.
According to BBC’s weather forecast, there is a zero percent chance of rain until 2pm, with the chance of showers rising to over 50 per cent by 5pm when a ‘thundery shower’ should strike. That means it is likely the teams will make it through the first session – and perhaps the second – before rain arrives.
In 2019, England made 362-9 to beat Australia by just one wicket in a thrilling Ashes clash at Headingley thanks mainly to current captain Ben Stokes’s astounding 135 not out.
That series ended all square at 2-2.
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“I hope so, because that means we win the Test match,” said Woakes, when asked if England would invoke the spirit of 2019 on Sunday’s fourth day.
“It would be nice to do it a little bit easier this time,” added the seamer, who has taken six wickets in his first Test in over a year, including a valuable 3-68 as Australia were dismissed for 224 in their second innings on Saturday.
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The past 12 months have seen England achieve several spectacular run chases, including a national Test record 378 against India at Edgbaston last year.
“We know we can chase scores as a team,” said Woakes. “It certainly suits us which is a good thing.”
But he stressed his side would not get ahead of themselves in a match where a win for the tourists would secure Australia’s first Ashes campaign triumph in England in 22 years.
“Australia will be thinking they’re 10 wickets away from winning an Ashes series in England as well, so it’s an exciting day for both teams,” said Woakes.
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Both Woakes and Australia’s Travis Head, who made a fine 77 on Saturday, were involved in the Headingley classic of four years ago.
“It’s fair to say that it’s a nice place to be with the series on the line and hopefully we can redeem ourselves from 2019 at this place,” said Head.
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