The Ashes LIVE: England vs Australia score and third Test updates as opening day ends in the balance

Mark Wood produced a thrilling display of fast bowling to help England blow away Australia as the first day of the third Ashes Test at Headingley ended in the balance.

The quick bowler, playing his first Test of the summer, produced a hostile opening spell before cleaning up the Australian tail to finish with a first Test five-for on English soil.

But Mitchell Marsh met fire with fire, producing a magnificent run-a-ball hundred to rescue Australia after four early wickets.

The all-rounder’s ton was the fastest by an Australian on English soil since Victor Trumper in 1902, but his dismissal on the stroke of tea precipitated an extraordinary collapse of six for 23 as Wood tore through the lower order.

The Durham rocketman’s five-for-34 led the way to curtail Australia’s innings at 263 all out.

A fast, true, Australian-style pitch always seemed likely to suit the tourists’ attack, though, and Pat Cummins struck twice early as England began their reply.

Marsh’s fine day continued late on, too, removing a well-set Zak Crawley 25 minutes before stumps as England closed on 68-3, 195 in arrears.

The Leeds Test is must win for England having fallen 2-0 behind after defeat at Lord’s on Sunday.

Follow all the live action below from Headingley as England face Australia:

England vs Australia

• STUMPS! England 68/3 (trail by 195)

• OUT! Zak Crawley c Warner b Marsh 33 (39) - Australian all-rounder’s fine day continues

• OUT! Harry Brook c Smith b Cummins 3 (11) - England’s new number three falls

• OUT! Ben Duckett c †Carey b Cummins 2 (6) - Australia captain strikes early in England innings

• Australia 263 ALL OUT! Mark Wood blasts away tail to seal five-for

• OUT! Pat Cummins LBW b Wood 0 (2) - England strike twice in an over as Australia collapse

• OUT! Mitchell Marsh ct Crawley b Woakes 118 (118) - Centurion falls on the stroke of tea as England get breakthrough

• 100! Mitchell Marsh goes to his first Test century outside of Australia after powering his side’s fightback

• LUNCH! Australia 91/4 (26)

• OUT! Steve Smith ct Bairstow b Broad 22 (31) - England’s fourth arrives courtesy of an inside edge behind

• OUT! Marnus Labuschagne ct Root b Woakes 21 (58) - England get their third of an excellent first session

• OUT! Usman Khawaja b Wood 13 (37) - England’s gas-man cleans up Australia’s opener after rapid opening spell

• OUT! David Warner ct Crawley b Broad 4 (5) - Australia opener falls in first over

Mark Wood bamboozles Australia with express pace to give England Ashes hope

Thursday 6 July 2023 19:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A burst of breakneck speed from Mark Wood breathed life into England’s Ashes campaign as the third Test got off to a feisty start at Headingley.

Four days on from the stumping controversy that dogged the previous match at Lord’s, Wood bamboozled Australia with express pace that topped 96 miles per hour and claimed five for 34 in the tourists’ 263 all out.

A one-man show from comeback kid Mitch Marsh was responsible for the majority of those runs, but his breathtaking run-a-ball 118 would not have been possible had Joe Root not put him down at slip with just 12 to his name.

That was one of four drops for an England side whose collection of missed chances is starting to become a worrying theme of the summer.

Mark Wood bamboozles Australia with express pace to give England Ashes hope

STUMPS: England 68/3 (trail by 195)

Thursday 6 July 2023 18:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The forecast is promising for tomorrow, bright sunshine and higher temperatures sure to encourage England’s batters. Joe Root has looked composed so far and has another Yorkshireman for company on his home ground - and Jonny Bairstow might just come out with a point to prove in the morning.

We also await further updates on the condition of Ollie Robinson, who left the field earlier with a back spasm.

Mark Wood reflects on England’s day and his five-wicket haul

Thursday 6 July 2023 18:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“Amazing, aye,” is the opening Geordie quip from Wood to Sky Sports. “It’s a great feeling to get five wickets. It’s the first time in front of my mam and dad, so it was a lovely moment to see them in the stands. It puts us in a good position and hopefully the sun will come out tomorrow so we can crack on.

“I thought Mitch Marsh played fantastically well. When the ball went from having that zip off the wicket, all of a sudden it looked very different when he was in. If the lads can get in, it is fast scoring, The outfield is rapid, rock hard, so I think we can score quickly.

“I haven’t played a Test match in a while but to be able to come back and produce that is pretty special. I was really happy that I could show I can bowl as well.”

STUMPS! England 68/3 (trail by 195)

Thursday 6 July 2023 18:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another Ashes day ends with things about even, as has been the case so often in this series so far. This is an excellent cricket pitch that has delivered some excellent cricket. Mark Wood led the way for England with a first home five-for, igniting things early before blowing away the tail, while Mitch Marsh met fire with fire with a magnificent run-a-ball hundred.

Australia will be happy to have taken three English wickets during an hour-and-a-half in the field, and will begin again first up tomorrow looking for more.

STUMPS! England 68/3 (trail by 195)

Thursday 6 July 2023 18:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England 68/3 (19), Jonny Bairstow 1, Joe Root 19, Mitchell Starc 0-18 (7) (trail by 195)

Thursday 6 July 2023 18:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

An extended shining session from Marnus Labuschagne at mid-off ends any prospect of action beyond Mitchell Starc’s over. Australia swap out a catching midwicket and in a short leg, Travis Head going into boot hill for the final few balls of the day.

A fair maiden to finish.

England 68/3 (18), Jonny Bairstow 1, Joe Root 19, Pat Cummins 2-28 (6) (trail by 195)

Thursday 6 July 2023 18:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jonny Bairstow rolls his eyes as Mitch Marsh feigns taking the bails off with the batter firmly in his crease having inside edged a Pat Cummins nip-backer into his body. I’m not sure Bairstow is much in a jesting mood.

He’s off the mark from his 13th ball, clipping off his pads to fine leg. That might actually be Cummins’s last - Joe Root and Bairstow slow things down with an extended between overs chat.

England 67/3 (17), Jonny Bairstow 0, Joe Root 19, Mitchell Starc 0-18 (6) (trail by 196)

Thursday 6 July 2023 18:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Joe Root isn’t impressed as some spectators in the second tier mess around behind the bowler’s arm. It’s the only event of a maiden.

Might Australia toss the ball to Todd Murphy in these final day one minutes to get their off-spinner into the game? Not for now. Pat Cummins is back and could have 12 balls before the close.

England 67/3 (16), Jonny Bairstow 0, Joe Root 19, Mitchell Marsh 1-9 (3) (trail by 196)

Thursday 6 July 2023 18:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Safe and secure from Joe Root, settling down into a more sedate tempo to try and see things to stumps, which is less than 15 minutes away. He turns a very full Mitch Marsh ball into a full toss, nurdling it to square leg for a single and the only score of the over.

England 66/3 (15), Jonny Bairstow 0, Joe Root 18, Mitchell Starc 0-18 (5) (trail by 197)

Thursday 6 July 2023 18:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia’s Mitchells will operate in tandem. Mr Starc gets it to hoop under floodlights, which are proving increasingly important as the gloom starts to take hold. Mark Wood has his pads on the England dressing room, readied for the nightwatch if required - but Headingley will hope these two Yorkshiremen are together come the close.

England 65/3 (14), Jonny Bairstow 0, Joe Root 17, Mitchell Marsh 1-8 (2) (trail by 198)

Thursday 6 July 2023 18:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Crikey that’s a good nut! A bit of nip back and Jonny Bairstow is beaten, perhaps for pace more than anything as Marsh pushes one through.

Cheers from the Western Terrace as Bairstow, a favoured son in these parts, performs for them, making a point of a very deliberate grounding of his bat as Alex Carey takes behind him.

OUT! Zak Crawley c Warner b Marsh 33 (39b 3x4 0x6), England 65/3 (13.3)

Thursday 6 July 2023 18:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It sticks in the fingertips! A poke outside off from Zak Crawley results in a familiar demise!

What a day Mitch Marsh is having. It’s excellent bowling, hitting that in-between length and finding a bit of away movement under darkening evening skies. It’s a good ball but a bit of an ambigious prod, a ball Crawley might have left or crashed for the covers instead just jabbed at.

David Warner clings on in the cordon and Jonny Bairstow is in for a nervy 25 minutes before the close.

England 65/2 (13), Zak Crawley 33, Joe Root 17, Scott Boland 0-7 (3) (trail by 198)

Thursday 6 July 2023 18:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Neat as a pin from Scott Boland, England taking three singles into the open acreage Australia are affording them with the spread fields.

England 61/2 (12), Zak Crawley 31, Joe Root 17, Mitchell Marsh 0-8 (1) (trail by 201)

Thursday 6 July 2023 18:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Not the start that Marsh might have liked, over-striding down the hill and over-stepping twice in the over. Root and Crawley continue to build their partnership, ticking along cheerily at nearly a run-a-ball.

England 54/2 (11), Zak Crawley 27, Joe Root 15, Scott Boland 0-5 (2) (trail by 209)

Thursday 6 July 2023 17:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mitch Marsh is starting to loosen his arms. He may lack Cameron Green’s pace and bounce but he’s a handy option. You may recall he took a five-for in the first innings at The Oval in his last Test four years ago.

And here he is, shedding his baggy green as Scott Boland tidies things up in his second over.

England 53/2 (10), Zak Crawley 26, Joe Root 13, Pat Cummins 2-27 (5) (trail by 210)

Thursday 6 July 2023 17:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Just short! Pat Cummins takes a healthy bite out of the outside edge of Zak Crawley’s bat but the England opener’s hands are soft enough that it doesn’t carry to Usman Khawaja, in the gully with Australia down to two and one.

Time for a drink.

England 51/2 (9), Zak Crawley 26, Joe Root 13, Scott Boland 0-4 (1) (trail by 212)

Thursday 6 July 2023 17:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Boundary, boundary to start Boland’s over. Byes to begin, the seam standing up after pitching and swinging to beat Alex Carey down the legside, before Root utilises the late cut to pierce third man.

England tucked into Boland a bit at Edgbaston but there should be more to excite him here. The way that the home batters got after him seemed to knock him off his line and length in Birmingham but if he can just plug away, you’d fancy the Victorian to create chances.

England 43/2 (8), Zak Crawley 26, Joe Root 9, Pat Cummins 2-25 (4) (trail by 220)

Thursday 6 July 2023 17:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’s exquisite from Root, the back-foot punch that he plays better than almost any other batter, up on his toes and pushing it through the covers.

Equally effective is Zak Crawley’s pull shot, Pat Cummins thwacked through midwicket. The England pair then turn one into two with Travis Head on his heels at deep point, Crawley - a keen runner - using his long strides to get home safely.

A first Australian change. Scott Boland into the attack to see what his heavy ball can extract out of this Headingley pitch.

England 29/2 (7), Zak Crawley 19, Joe Root 3, Mitchell Starc 0-17 (4) (trail by 234)

Thursday 6 July 2023 17:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Root does look busy here, trying to turn a block into the covers into two with Australia’s off-side field widely spread.

England 24/2 (6), Zak Crawley 17, Joe Root 1, Pat Cummins 2-11 (3) (trail by 239)

Thursday 6 July 2023 17:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Joe Root makes the walk out to the Headingley middle, a journey he’s plenty familiar with. England might need a Root special on his home ground. Australia‘s slips will feel in the game if Root tries that trademark guide down to third man on this surface, you’d think.

Root is a little frustrated when Zak Crawley fails to respond as the new batter tries to call him through for a single.

OUT! Harry Brook c Smith b Cummins 3 (11b 0x4 0x6), England 22/2 (5.2)

Thursday 6 July 2023 17:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England’s makeshift number three is gone early!

Australia’s new ball pair are on it again, Starc in the swing of things and Pat Cummins doing his damage off the seam. Harry Brook’s footwork is slightly indefinite, typical of a batter new to the crease, and a genuine edge carries cleanly to Steve Smith at second slip.

England 22/1 (5), Zak Crawley 16, Harry Brook 3, Mitchell Starc 0-12 (3) (trail by 241)

Thursday 6 July 2023 17:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mitch Marsh has stepped into Cameron Green’s size seventeens in the gully, one Western Australian all-rounder in for another and fulfilling his fly-catching brief.

Harry Brook dances down the pitch, premeditating a move to try and knock Mitchell Starc out of rhythm but almost leaving leg stump exposed. Starc finds slightly too much swing but he’ll fancy his chances of carpenry if Brook continues to go on the charge.

A peach! Starc is starting to settle in, scrambling the seam to push one across Zak Crawley and beat the batter on the angle.

England 19/1 (4), Zak Crawley 16, Harry Brook 0, Pat Cummins 1-9 (2) (trail by 244)

Thursday 6 July 2023 17:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Enter Harry Brook, on his home ground but in lofty territory at number three. His county record at first drop isn’t great - but Brook is a better player now than when he occupied the position earlier in his Yorkshire career.

Here’s the Duckett dismissal in all its glory. That Carey catch gets better and better on repeat viewing.

OUT! Ben Duckett c †Carey b Cummins 2 (6b 0x4 0x6), England 18/1 (3.2)

Thursday 6 July 2023 17:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Snaffled by Alex Carey! Australia get one early!

It’s exactly the sort of dismissal that one might suspect Ben Duckett to fall to on this sort of surface. He’s looking for his favourite back-foot cut, but there’s not quite enough width to free the arms. The extra bounce ensures an edge and Carey takes a cracker, hands reaching high as he lunges to his left. A kiss of the ball to ensure it stays in his mitts as he comes back down to earth - the Cummins/Carey connection does for Duckett.

England 18/0 (3), Zak Crawley 16, Ben Duckett 2, Mitchell Starc 0-9 (2) (trail by 245)

Thursday 6 July 2023 17:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Over third slip! Full and wide and Crawley, as is his wont, unfurls his long limbs, a thick outside edge clearing the cordon.

England 12/0 (2), Zak Crawley 11, Ben Duckett 1, Pat Cummins 0-9 (1) (trail by 251)

Thursday 6 July 2023 17:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Glorious! Bold from Zak Crawley, wandering down and outside off, but his flick is timed impeccably, giving the Western Terrace something to cheer as it hurtles towards them for four.

A positive start from both batters against Pat Cummins, setting his radar slightly too straight. The two openers trade singles to the square leg sweeper to close the over.

England 3/0 (1), Zak Crawley 3, Ben Duckett 0, Mitchell Starc 0-3 (1) (trail by 260)

Thursday 6 July 2023 17:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s a beauty to begin from Mitchell Starc, swinging it back in slightly and then getting to seam to stand and hold the line, narrowly missing off peg. Crawley is away next ball with a clip for a couple.

Lovely. Starc shows his curves, beating Ben Duckett outside off and then squaring him up with late swing. A leading edge thuds into the ground.

England 0/0 (0), Zak Crawley 0, Ben Duckett 0, Mitchell Starc 0-0 (0)

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

An hour and a half of bowling to do for Australia this evening, looking to get after England’s tweaked top order. This feels like a Zak Crawley pitch more than a Ben Duckett one. I doubt they’ll poke and prod; Mitch Marsh showed that a positive approach might be the way to go on this surface.

Mitchell Starc has the new ball in his hands. Three slips, a gully, and also deep fielders square of the wicket on either side.

End of innings: Australia 263 all out

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s a reasonably tough Australia innings to assess. 263 feels middling - Mitch Marsh certainly showed that runs could be made on this surface - but Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will like the look of this springy, speedy surface.

A word for Chris Woakes, who supported Wood well on his own return. His apparent calf niggle might be a concern, though.

End of innings: Australia 263 all out

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Well that all happened in a hurry. Australia tumble from 240-5 at tea to 263 all out, Mitch Marsh’s dismissal just before the interval precipitating a proper implosion. That’s what pure pace can do - Mark Wood has been absolutely outstanding today, blowing away the tail with both barrels. How brilliant it is to see him back fit and properly, properly firing.

End of innings: Australia 263 all out

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

OUT! Todd Murphy b Wood 13 (12b 3x4 0x6), Australia 263 all out

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Chopped on! Mark Wood has five!

Full and rapid from Wood, Murphy trying the drive but without the requisite footwork to make the most of chasing hands. A thick inside edge leaves him castled - Wood finishes with figures of 5-34 on his return as Australia collapse in a heap after tea.

Australia 263/9 (60), Todd Murphy 13, Scott Boland 0, Chris Woakes 3-73 (17)

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Four more streaky runs for Todd Murphy, an inside edge down into the deck beating Jonny Bairstow on the bounce. That’s more authoritative - width from Chris Woakes, limping a little on that tender calf, and scythed backward of point for another boundary.

A top edge to fine leg could, perhaps, bring two, but Scott Boland probably won’t be particularly tempted to come back. Murphy keeps the strike for the start of Mark Wood’s next over.

Australia 254/9 (59), Todd Murphy 4, Scott Boland 0, Mark Wood 4-34 (11)

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Boland, just about, survives.

Australia 254/9 (58.3), Todd Murphy 4, Scott Boland 0, Mark Wood 4-34 (10.3)

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia have lost five for 14 since Mitchell Marsh’s wicket on the stroke of tea. This is an incredible collapse, with Mark Wood the chief demolition man and now with Scott Boland in his sights.

OUT! Alex Carey c Woakes b Wood 8 (16b 1x4 0x6), Australia 254/9 (58.2)

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Sliced to cover!

Alex Carey is fine to continue but lasts only one ball more, backing away almost off the cut strip and throwing his hands at it. It’s, in truth, a horrible stroke from a batter spooked by that blow. Chris Woakes settles beneath it and England are one away from finishing things off - and Wood one away from a five-for.

Australia 254/8 (58.1), Todd Murphy 4, Alex Carey 8, Mark Wood 3-34 (10.1)

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Yowzer! That’s nasty! Carey rather ducks into a Wood bouncer he doesn’t quite pick up, turning his head as it slams into the back of his helmet.

He’ll have a concussion check as a replacement lid is sourced.

Australia 254/8 (58), Todd Murphy 4, Alex Carey 8, Chris Woakes 3-64 (16)

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s time for a bit of strike farming from Alex Carey, playing his shots early in Chris Woakes’s over and then nudging a single, leaving Todd Murphy only one ball to face. Woakes stretches his calf beforehand, a worry for England given Ollie Robinson’s back spasm, but it seems like all is in reasonable working order.

Murphy negotiates the final ball competently, tucking it to deep square leg. Carey doesn’t fancy the run - he’ll try to take on England’s missile launcher.

Australia 253/8 (57), Todd Murphy 4, Alex Carey 7, Mark Wood 3-34 (10)

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Todd Murphy showed some fight with the bat in his first few Test appearances, scoring a useful 41 in his debut series - but turning pitches in India provided a rather different challenge to the one he faces here, Mark Wood with his tail up on a quick one. The off-spinner, who bats left handed, jams his bat down and squeezes it through the gully for four.

OUT! Pat Cummins lbw b Wood 0 (2b 0x4 0x6), Australia 249/7 (56.5)

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Two in the over!

This really is a display of top class fast bowling from Mark Wood. He targets the stumps, firing in an attempted outswinger that, if anything, shoots back a little, thudding into Pat Cummins’s back leg as his bat gets stuck waiting for the next stop. Off the Australian captain walks without even a passing thought of a review - that’s as plumb as they come.

Australia 249/7 (56.4), Pat Cummins 0, Alex Carey 6, Mark Wood 2-30 (9.4)

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The wicket brings together Alex Carey and Pat Cummins, Australian antagonists in chief according to the Headingley crowd, who give the visiting captain appropriately hostile reception.

OUT! Mitchell Starc b Wood 2 (10b 0x4 0x6), Australia 249-7 (56.3)

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Too good! A bail-trimmer from Mark Wood and the death rattle sounds!

There’ll be no freeing of the arms from Mitchell Starc, static of foot and loose of hands as Wood bends one back in to him. High pace, high skill - that’s what Wood can do and England have another.

Australia 248/6 (56), Mitchell Starc 2, Alex Carey 6, Moeen Ali 0-40 (9)

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Is that a chance? Just about! It’s Root, again, the ball following him as he moves in at short leg. Alex Carey inside edges and it flies through the crouching catcher. A real toughie.

Cheers from the Headingley faithful - Mark Wood is brought back to see if he can blast out Australia’s lower order.

Australia 247/6 (55), Mitchell Starc 2, Alex Carey 5, Chris Woakes 3-63 (15)

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

In very Chris Woakes fashion, the Warwickshire seamer quietly has a three-for on his return, despite that Root drop of Mitch Marsh earlier.

Another southpaw in Mitchell Starc joins Alex Carey. Those long levers might be useful on a true pitch if he can get himself set.

OUT! Travis Head c Root b Woakes 39 (74b 5x4 0x6), Australia 245/6 (54.3)

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But that one goes in safely! Joe Root hurls the ball away, frustrated at his two misses, but England have another vital wicket!

Ben Stokes chuckles as his captaincy predecessor shows his disgust having finally clung on. It was a slightly straighter ball from Chris Woakes, finding extra bounce in the channel as Travis Head tried to force off the back foot. “Oh no!”, the batter cries; Australia have a bit of hitting to come but England are into the tail.

Australia 245/5 (54.1), Travis Head 39, Alex Carey 5, Chris Woakes 2-61 (14.1)

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England have issued an update on Robinson - the seamer is dealing with a back spasm and will not re-take the field today. Assuming Ben Stokes is unable to bowl more than a handful of overs, England are essentially down to a four-man attack.

Dropped by Joe Root again! My, oh my, England really aren’t covering themselves in glory in this series. It was short, wide, and there to be hit from Chris Woakes, Alex Carey chasing after it like an eager retriever but bounding into danger. A thin edge flies in and out of Root’s hands as he thrusts them over his head.

Australia 244/5 (54), Travis Head 39, Alex Carey 4, Moeen Ali 0-39 (8)

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ollie Robinson continues to be assessed by England’s medical staff, with the substitute fielder back out there after tea.

Travis Head plays out six dots from Moeen Ali.

Australia 244/5 (53), Travis Head 39, Alex Carey 4, Chris Woakes 2-60 (14)

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’s a lovely start from the left-hander, driving elegantly through the covers to shut up the crowd a little and get off the mark.

Australia 240/5 (52.1), Travis Head 39, Alex Carey 0, Chris Woakes 2-56 (13.1)

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Alex Carey shadow bats in time with the predictable boos that accompany the announcement of his name. Can the wicket-keeper’s put the crowd out of his mind and chip in with yet more valuable runs?

TEA: Australia 240/5 (52.1)

Thursday 6 July 2023 15:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That innings takes Mitch Marsh’s average against England over 50, more than double the mark he has achieved outside of Ashes cricket.

Next to the crease for Australia is Alex Carey, whose presence you doubt will go unnoticed by the Headingley crowd. Can he and Head kick on to put their side fully in the ascendancy?

TEA: Australia 240/5 (52.1)

Thursday 6 July 2023 15:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia will be desperately disappointed to have lost their centurion just before the interval but that was an extraordinary fightback in that session. England began after lunch wondering if they might even be batting come the start of the evening session but found Mitchell Marsh in a savage mood, the all-rounder slamming a magnificent run-a-ball 118 to completely change the momentum of the match. Travis Head kept things moving alongside him to build a transformative partnership.

England will rue early drops of both men, Jonny Bairstow shelling Head down the leg side before Joe Root put down a sitter as Chris Woakes found Marsh’s outside edge. Ollie Robinson’s injury will also be of concern - the seamer remains off the field after being unable to finish his 12th over.

TEA! Australia 240/5 (52.1)

Thursday 6 July 2023 15:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

OUT! Mitchell Marsh c Crawley b Woakes 118 (118b 17x4 4x6), Australia 240/5 (52.1)

Thursday 6 July 2023 15:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mitch Marsh falls on the stroke of tea! How England needed that!

A brilliant, match-transforming innings comes to a strangely limp end. Chris Woakes nips one back from the good length that England haven’t hit enough to Marsh, and the ball floats to Zak Crawley in the slips.

There’s momentary confusion as England wait for Kumar Dharmasena to raise his finger, but Marsh removes any doubt by tucking his bat beneath his arm and beginning to walk off. Headingley rises to salute him as he exits.

Australia 240/4 (52), Travis Head 39, Mitch Marsh 118, Moeen Ali 0-38 (7)

Thursday 6 July 2023 15:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Marsh’s munchings have taken any semblance of pressure of Travis Head, usually counter-attacker in chief but totally in comfort in his partner’s slip stream in this innings. The partnership is beyond the 150 mark.

One more over before tea.

Australia 232/4 (51), Travis Head 37, Mitch Marsh 112, Chris Woakes 1-56 (13)

Thursday 6 July 2023 15:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Colossal! Watch out on the Western Terrace - Marsh launches a Chris Woakes short ball high over cow corner, and follows it up with a vicious on drive for four more.

I make that seven Ashes hundreds for the Marsh family now, and Mitch will have bragging rights - a third takes him clear of brother Shaun and father Geoff, who both scored two.

Australia 220/4 (50), Travis Head 36, Mitch Marsh 101, Moeen Ali 0-31 (6)

Thursday 6 July 2023 15:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A single apiece to each batter in Moeen Ali’s over.

Australia 218/4 (49), Travis Head 35, Mitch Marsh 100, Chris Woakes 1-44 (12)

Thursday 6 July 2023 15:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England haven’t seemed to have any answers to halt Marsh’s charge. This is a pitch that really suits him, fast and bouncy like a WACA classic, and what was immediately clear from the moment he came to the crease was his comfort against the short ball and Mark Wood’s extra zip.

Marsh takes a moment to draw breath, plays out a maiden from the returning Chris Woakes.

100 for Mitch Marsh! Australia 218/4 (48), Travis Head 35, Mitch Marsh 100, Moeen Ali 0-29 (5)

Thursday 6 July 2023 15:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Simply magnificent! Mitch Marsh brings up an innings-turning ton, savaging Moeen Ali down the ground for a four and a six before calling Travis Head through for a scrambled single. He simply loves batting against England - his third Test hundred, all against Australia’s fiercest foe, and this has been a thing of brutal beauty!

Dropped by Joe Root early on, but Marsh has been superb thereafter, bringing up the landmark from 102 balls. And to think he wouldn’t even be playing had Cameron Green been fully fit.

Australia 207/4 (47), Travis Head 35, Mitch Marsh 89, Stuart Broad 2-58 (11.4)

Thursday 6 July 2023 15:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Stuart Broad settles things down, finding a little bit of movement out of the surface. A spread field means Travis Head can cut with freedom, though, taking a single to the fielder and deep backward point.

Australia 205/4 (46), Travis Head 34, Mitch Marsh 88, Moeen Ali 0-18 (4)

Thursday 6 July 2023 15:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Out in Zimbabwe, major news from the World Cup qualifiers - the Netherlands have beaten Scotland and by a large enough margin to snatch a spot at the tournament in India later this year. Great news for the Dutch side, who beat the West Indies in a super over thriller early in the qualifying competition and return to the World Cup for the first time in 12 years. They’ve done it without much of their first-choice bowling attack, too, with a number of their ODI regulars tied up in county cricket and not freed for the qualification campaign.

Meanwhile, Mitch Marsh barrels onwards towards his ton at Headingley. Moeen Ali is positively pulverized through extra-cover before a tickle beats fine leg brings four more.

Australia 197/4 (45), Travis Head 34, Mitch Marsh 80, Stuart Broad 2-56 (10.4)

Thursday 6 July 2023 15:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Marsh has almost gone into white ball mode now. He cudgels Broad through mid-on, closing the face to direct it as he desires. An attempt to repeat the stroke against a ball not there to be hit draws a self-critical slap of the body, but his muscular arms are employed effectively soon enough, battering Broad back down the ground.

Australia 185/4 (44), Travis Head 34, Mitch Marsh 69, Moeen Ali 0-10 (3)

Thursday 6 July 2023 15:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Just the one off Moeen Ali’s third over, but that single is enough to bring up the 100 partnership between Australia’s counter-punchers. Both had reprieves earlier but Mitch Marsh has played brilliantly, and while Travis Head has been content to play second fiddle so far, he’s starting to kick into gear.

Australia 184/4 (43), Travis Head 34, Mitch Marsh 68, Stuart Broad 2-44 (9.4)

Thursday 6 July 2023 15:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Robinson came into the series with an ankle issue, missing the Ireland Test after aggravating an injury while playing for Sussex in the County Championship. All indications were that his lay-off was mostly precautionary, but this will only cause frets over his fitness to be revisited.

This is turning into a terrible session for England. Stuart Broad is asked to complete the over but Mitch Marsh has reserved some punishment for him, too, releasing the wrists to lift a square drive over point.

Australia 179/4 (42.2), Travis Head 34, Mitch Marsh 63, Ollie Robinson 0-38 (11.2)

Thursday 6 July 2023 15:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia are putting the pressure on England now. Mitch Marsh swipes Ollie Robinson to the square leg fence and then saunters down the track, missing a similar stroke but still finding the total swelled by four as the ball runs away to fine leg for four.

And disaster for England! Robinson is limping off! He takes his cap and jumper from the umpire and trudges up to the dressing room.

Australia 171/4 (41), Travis Head 34, Mitch Marsh 59, Moeen Ali 0-9 (2)

Thursday 6 July 2023 15:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And Head is beginning to find his run-scoring range. The first five balls of Moeen Ali’s second over are accurate enough but the last is lolloped out, Head liking the loop and ushering it to the boundary through the offside.

Australia 165/4 (41), Travis Head 29, Mitch Marsh 59, Ollie Robinson 0-34 (11)

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Travis Head has played the short ball exceptionally tidily since lunch. He swivels en pointe, timing a pull perfectly to bisect two of England’s three deep fielders and collect four.

Australia 159/4 (40), Travis Head 24, Mitch Marsh 58, Moeen Ali 0-4 (1)

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Flashed past first slip! Short from Moeen but the lack of turn leaves Travis Head cramped. The force of the stroke ensures his safety, a thick edge past Joe Root before the England slipper has time to adjust.

Three overs and out for Mark Wood in this spell. Ollie Robinson replaces him.

Australia 155/4 (39), Travis Head 20, Mitch Marsh 58, Mark Wood 1-29 (9)

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Two commanding drives in Mark Wood’s next over from Mitch Marsh, full of authority as he settles back into the Test arena. The first is thumped through the covers to Ben Stokes’s left and the second is even better, walloped to the England captain’s right. His comfort against Wood, in comparison to his colleaguges, really has been striking.

Stokes is going to try something different - Moeen Ali will get his first twirl of the Test, with a fielder on the boundary almost directly behind the bowler’s arm.

Australia 147/4 (38), Travis Head 20, Mitch Marsh 50, Ollie Robinson 0-28 (10)

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And there is that half-century - Mitch Marsh’s first in England, coming from 59 balls with six fours and two sixes. He’s taking his opportunity with Cameron Green a little sore. A raise of the bat to the balcony and back to work as he and Head continue to steady the ship.

Drinks.

Australia 145/4 (37), Travis Head 19, Mitch Marsh 49, Mark Wood 1-21 (8)

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Smart cricket from Travis Head, recognising the opportunity to get up the other end as the ball squirms out into the offside. Mitch Marsh’s responds appropriately, hustling through before Ben Duckett can aim a throw. These two do seem to complement each other nicely at the crease - they showed encouraging signs as an ODI opening partnership in India earlier this year.

Huge! Fast in, fast out - a bouncer from Mark Wood is sledgehammered into the stands by Marsh, now just one short of a first Test fifty in more than five years.

Australia 136/4 (36), Travis Head 18, Mitch Marsh 42, Ollie Robinson 0-26 (9)

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another cut four from Mitch Marsh’s bat brings up the 50 partnership, the all-rounder tucking in as Ollie Robinson offers him width a ball after dancing past Marsh’s outside edge.

Reviewed! Australia 132/4 (35.2), Travis Head 18, Mitch Marsh 38, Ollie Robinson 0-22 (8.2)

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ollie Robinson nips one back into Mitch Marsh’s thigh pad and Zak Crawley collects moving forward from second slip. It’s given not out but Crawley thinks he’s heard two noises...and Ben Stokes eventually sends it upstairs.

Nope, there’s no bat - straight off the pad, and clearly not out LBW. Not England’s best review.

Australia 132/4 (35), Travis Head 18, Mitch Marsh 38, Mark Wood 1-13 (7)

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Swatted! Marsh meets fire with fire, locking his giant biceps in place to clobber a Wood bouncer through mid-on. This should be a good contest between the two - Marsh is good against high pace but is looking to score.

A double change for England. Ollie Robinson will trundle up the hill.

Australia 127/4 (34), Travis Head 18, Mitch Marsh 33, Chris Woakes 1-44 (11)

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

These two are starting to look reasonably settled, Head riding Chris Woakes’s bouncers competently and Marsh working a couple of singles to leg.

Little surprise, then, that Mark Wood is tuning up the band again, ready for some higher tempo chin music.

Australia 124/4 (33), Travis Head 17, Mitch Marsh 31, Stuart Broad 2-39 (9)

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Marsh’s footwork had been all over the place for that LBW shout, his front toe poking out awkwardly to wide mid-on. He looks in control on the attack, more definite in moving that foot forward to drive Stuart Broad through cover, but England will keep trying to get at his pads.

Broad finds a bit of swing, ducking one back in to the right-handed batter, who adjusts well to work it to long leg. Moeen Ali, quiet so far today with England’s seamers doing the job, collects and keeps the batters to two.

Australia 116/4 (32), Travis Head 16, Mitch Marsh 24, Chris Woakes 1-41 (10)

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Headingley has been slightly subdued since lunch, but launch into their own appeal as Jonny Bairstow takes superbly down the leg side. Off the hip - Mitch Marsh survives.

The Western Terrace are up again as Woakes raps the front pad. It doesn’t look far away but England don’t get the decision and won’t chance a review - high, and leg-sidey...and umpire’s call on the top of leg stump. Closer, perhaps, than Woakes and Stokes thought but it would have stayed not out.

Australia 114/4 (31), Travis Head 15, Mitch Marsh 23, Stuart Broad 2-31 (8)

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Crunch! There’s a certain brutalist beauty to Mitch Marsh, the batter using those big, broad shoulders to cut a Stuart Broad ball backward of point for four.

Australia 108/4 (30), Travis Head 14, Mitch Marsh 18, Chris Woakes 1-39 (9)

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A crisp stroke from Mitch Marsh, driving back past Chris Woakes as the bowler overpitches, showing the full face. Up to the boundary it scurries as the mid-off and mid-on fielders abort futile pursuits.

Australia 102/4 (29), Travis Head 13, Mitch Marsh 13, Stuart Broad 2-25 (7)

Thursday 6 July 2023 13:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Travis Head controls a pull well, timing his tug nicely and placing it between Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes at square and long leg. The England captain appears to slide into the boundary before he flicks the ball up to the other half of the rhyming couplet, but Joel Wilson, the third umpire, is satisfied that all is in order, denying Head an extra couple of runs. It’s not the first time, of course, that a Wilson decision involving Stokes has gone against Australia on this ground - though the stakes, this time, aren’t quite as high.

Australia 98/4 (28), Travis Head 10, Mitch Marsh 12, Chris Woakes 1-33 (8)

Thursday 6 July 2023 13:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That profligacy has really cost England in this series. They’ve been very, very good so far today but that’s already three chances that have gone begging.

Australia 98/4 (27.3), Travis Head 10, Mitch Marsh 12, Chris Woakes 1-33 (7.3)

Thursday 6 July 2023 13:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Dropped! Joe Root at first slip! That’s a dolly, I’m afraid, Mitch Marsh pushing hard hands in the channel as Woakes again draws a nick. Root goes to gobble it with two hands at thigh height but fails to grasp it. Woakes covers his mouth in disbelief - 13 drops and missed stumpings now for England in the series.

Australia 98/4 (27.1), Travis Head 10, Mitch Marsh 12, Chris Woakes 1-33 (7.1)

Thursday 6 July 2023 13:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Biffage! That’s a mammoth blow from Mitch Marsh, so comfortable on the back foot and dismissing to Chris Woakes to cow corner as the bowler offers a gentle after-lunch loosener.

Australia 92/4 (27), Travis Head 10, Mitch Marsh 6, Stuart Broad 2-21 (6)

Thursday 6 July 2023 13:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England start without a short leg to Travis Head, but Joe Root is soon chirping in the batter’s left ear, helmet and shinpads on as he waits for a fend having snaffled Head brilliantly at Lord’s. A couple of swipes will encourage Stuart Broad as Head flaps his bat about slightly carelessly.

Chris Woakes takes over from Mark Wood at the other end.

Australia 91/4 (26.1), Travis Head 10, Mitch Marsh 5, Stuart Broad 2-20 (5.1)

Thursday 6 July 2023 13:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Still a few clouds overhead as England make their way back out there. I fancy Head and Marsh to try and come at them a little bit in this first half-hour after lunch, but England’s seamers have got things right so far and will fancy their chances of really moving things on in this next session.

Stuart Broad continues with the third over of his spell after lunch.

Lunch: Australia 91/4 (26)

Thursday 6 July 2023 13:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Work to do, then, for Australia, as they look to salvage this situation. Travis Head has already had one life and has looked a little jumpy against the short ball, but he’s the sort of man who switch momentum in short order if England release a little bit of pressure after lunch. For Mitch Marsh, meanwhile, it’ll be a case of feeling his way back into things in his first hit in Test cricket since the end of the last Ashes series in England in 2019. A product of Perth might like this bouncy surface but this will be a major test for the all-rounder.

Lunch: Australia 91/4 (26)

Thursday 6 July 2023 13:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another capitvating session of Ashes cricket, and exactly the sort of start England would have wanted as they try and engineer a series turnaround. A fast pitch has suited a fired-up attack who have scarcely put a foot wrong, Stuart Broad getting things rolling by dismissing David Warner before Mark Wood produced a truly thrilling exhibition of genuinely quick bowling. All of Australia’s top four is back in the hutch before lunch, much to the delight of a Headingley crowd.

Two Jonny Bairstow errors aside, England have been accurate and intense and have taken early control of this Test match.

LUNCH! Australia 91/4 (26)

Thursday 6 July 2023 13:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

LUNCH! Australia 91/4 (26), Travis Head 10, Mitch Marsh 5, Mark Wood 1-8 (6)

Thursday 6 July 2023 13:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Howdy! Travis Head is all too happy to hurry up the other end and leave things to Mitch Marsh, who has a right old hopeful heave-ho at his first ball, eyes up, arms swinging wildly.

Headingley lifts the noise for the final ball before lunch, which Marsh plays in a rather more controlled manner, tucking a single into the legside to take us to the interval.

Australia 89/4 (25), Travis Head 9, Mitch Marsh 4, Stuart Broad 2-20 (5)

Thursday 6 July 2023 13:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Welcome back to the Ashes, Mitch Marsh, Australia’s all-rounder walking out to a chorus of boos as he takes strike in Test cricket for the first time in four years.

That’ll make him feel a bit better - a thump to the cover boundary as Broad offers him a wide half-volley.

There’s time enough for one more. Mark Wood is starting his engine again.

OUT! Steven Smith c †Bairstow b Broad 22 (31b 1x4 1x6), Australia 85/4 (24.2)

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A scratch on UltraEdge - Smith will have to go!

The batter shakes his head as he wanders off, not having felt the deflection, but the aural evidence proved persuasive enough for the finger to be raised and the spike was clear on review. A little bit of movement back in to clip the gatepost and England’s morning just keeps getting better and better.

GIVEN! But Steve Smith reviews...

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Full and angling in from Stuart Broad and safely pouched this time by Jonny Bairstow - but Smith doesn’t think he’s hit it. Upstairs to the third umpire for clarification...

Australia 84/3 (24), Travis Head 9, Steve Smith 21, Mark Wood 1-5 (5)

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jonny Bairstow shells another! Byes are given but Travis Head has clearly helped that on its way, and that’s really a bit of a sitter!

It was short and down the leg side from Wood but Head couldn’t help flirting with it, patting the ball on the back as it passes him. Bairstow moved well and got two hands to it - that should have been taken.

Australia 80/3 (23), Travis Head 9, Steve Smith 18, Stuart Broad 1-16 (4)

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Steve Smith has now surpassed Allan Border’s Ashes tally of 3222 - only Jack Hobbs and Don Bradman have more than Smith in official series for the urn between England and Australia. He really is in rarified air.

Travis Head somehow manages to scramble up the ladder and safely bring a Stuart Broad bouncer down at his feet, the southpaw ending up in a slightly awkward position as he protects his chin.

Predictably, Ben Stokes wants at least one more over from Mark Wood before lunch. A change of ends means a slight uphill slope to negotiate - but I doubt that will do too much to curb Wood’s high-octane stylings.

Australia 79/3 (22), Travis Head 9, Steve Smith 17, Chris Woakes 1-27 (7)

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Have that! Chris Woakes tries to rough up Steve Smith with a bouncer of his own, but is tonked over square leg for a sizeable six. The extra spring, and stability, of this surface makes the full-blooded hook a better option here than at Lord’s, you’d think - but the indications are that England are prepared to re-visit their short stuff strategy.

Stuart Broad, hauled off after only three overs with the new ball to get Mark Wood involved, is back for another rumble before the first Leeds luncheon.

Australia 72/3 (21), Travis Head 9, Steve Smith 10, Ollie Robinson 0-22 (8)

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Travis’s Head is in for a peppering - England revert to a short-ball attack of the left-hander almost instantaneously, three men pushed back to the leg-side boundary and a short leg in place as Ollie Robinson is asked to renew the bumper barrage that worked in the second innings at Lord’s. Head can’t resist, a full blooded hook flying out of control off the top edge, but managing to find space to execute an emergency landing between the finer two of those three boundary fielders.

Australia 65/3 (20), Travis Head 4, Steve Smith 8, Chris Woakes 1-20 (6)

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That was a lovely moment for Chris Woakes, celebrating the wicket with a big pump of the fist. He might have wondered if he had a Test future as England had their BazBall fun without him last summer, but he’s always been uber-reliable at home and it’s nice to see him back after a series of frustrating injuries. Labuschagne might reflect that he could have left that ball on length, as he had done a few times already in his innings.

Travis Head is up and running, though, a funky punch through mid-off heavy on the rum as Head flicks his wrists jauntily at the point of contact. A slightly quirky, but effective, shot for four.

OUT! Marnus Labuschagne c Root b Woakes 21 (58b 4x4 0x6), Australia 61/3 (29.3)

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Nicked to first slip!

A picture perfect seamer’s dismissal, the kind that is very much Chris Woakes’s stock and trade. A nagging line, nip away and a regulation outside edge - it’s a comfortable catch for Joe Root to Jonny Bairstow’s right and Labuschagne’s lean series continues.

Australia 57/2 (19), Marnus Labuschagne 17, Steve Smith 8, Ollie Robinson 0-15 (7)

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Put down! That’s a really tough one for Jonny Bairstow but the England wicketkeeper got his left paw on it. Appreciable nip from Ollie Robinson from back of a length, Steve Smith’s wide hands leaving him vulnerable to an inside edge. In and out of the webbing and down to fine leg for four as Ben Stokes offers a consolatory on Bairstow’s head.

England clearly want to bowl as straight as possible at the Australian centurion, Stokes stationing two catchers around the corner. In response, Smith uses his feet to get out of his crease and try and score off the front foot through a weakened off side field - a checked drive doesn’t quite beat the man at point.

Australia 53/2 (18), Marnus Labuschagne 17, Steve Smith 4, Chris Woakes 0-12 (5)

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Woakes, a few grey flecks now evident around his ears, launches into his first full-blooded appeal, but the ever genuine seamer soon relents. The replay shows the problem England might have drawing LBW decisions - it was the leg-sided nature of that shout that prompted Woakes’s withdrawal of the question, but ball-tracking displays that it would have bounced over the top, too.

Australia 51/2 (17), Marnus Labuschagne 17, Steve Smith 3, Ollie Robinson 0-11 (6)

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Tidy again from Ollie Robinson, though you fancy a fidgeting Steve Smith will be grateful for a chance to settle against his more sedate pace as Mark Wood rests and recovers. This sort of surface means Robinson, Woakes and co. will have to work hard for their wickets but they aren’t giving much away.

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