Two sessions of day 3 were washed out due to rain in Leeds, but when play resumed, with Australia looking to build on their lead, England continued their barrage of short balls to the Australian batters on Day 3 of the Headingley Test.
One of those many short balls from the fast and fiery Mark Wood accounted for the wicket of left-hander Mitchell Starc. England almost lost that opportunity as short-leg fielder Harry Brook and wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow had a bit of a confusion, but eventually, Harry Brook took an excellent diving catch to get rid of Starc.
Wood banged a ball in at a high pace to which Starc could only fend and he had little idea of where the ball went. It went behind him and Brook and Bairstow were alert and both started running toward the ball.
Both Harry Brook and Bairstow looked at each other for a split second; Brook stuttered while Bairstow almost stood his ground. Harry Brook decided it was his catch to take now, even though in the end, the ball fell more near Bairstow’s position than Brook’s short leg position. Brook had to put in an athletic dive to complete the catch. All the England players had wry smiles on their faces as they knew there was some confusion between Bairstow and Brook, but the latter did well to sprint and complete the catch.
After some confusion with Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook takes a terrific catch:
Never in doubt 😉 #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/8FapL3CV4u
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 8, 2023
England bowlers were on their mark when play resumed on Day 3. First, Woakes dismissed the dangerous Mitchell Marsh and also Alex Carey. Mark Wood steamed in to get rid of Starc and Cummins before Broad cleaned up Murphy. But Head is still in the middle, having completed his fifty and looking to take Australia’s lead to over 250.
