Aussie skipper Tim Paine and his boys were on the verge of retaining the Ashes. But Ben Stokes’ brilliant 135 not out helped England chase down a target of 359 runs and register a one-wicket win over Australia.
The hosts were still 73 runs away from the victory target when the all-rounder was accompanied at the crease by No. 11 Jack Leach.
Stokes’ mind-blowing innings featured 11 fours and 8 sixes. Besides, the third test at Headingley witnessed plenty of drama.
Aussie off-spinner Nathan Lyon was taken to the cleaners by Stokes’ remarkable hitting. The bowler also failed to gather a throw missing a crucial run-out chance with England still needing two to win.
The next ball saw Lyon letting out an enormous appeal for lbw against the dangerous Stokes.
But the England vice-captain was given not out by umpire Joel Wilson, and Australia were helpless as they had used up all their reviews.
It was like adding salt to injury when replays clearly showed that the left-hander would have been out.
England seemed to have come back with a bang after being bowled out for a paltry 67 in the first innings.
But despite Australia suffering a heartbreaking loss to England, skipper Tim Paine came up with a reaction that defined true sportsmanship.
Here’s the video –
Classy response from Tim Paine after a heartbreaking loss for the Aussies #Ashes pic.twitter.com/eEuzKYtCaG
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 25, 2019
“I thought it was an amazing game of cricket, Ben Stokes was unbelievably good… it was one of the great Test innings,” said Paine.
“We finished up on the wrong side of it but in terms of an advertisement for Test cricket, I think that was bloody exciting.”
“It was a bit of individual brilliance today from a world-class player. Stokes was playing out of his skin and he managed to do things that you normally wouldn’t see.”
“I didn’t love it today but I love watching him play for that reason,” he added.
England will take on Australia in the fourth Ashes Test, scheduled to be held from September 4 to 8 at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester.
