Denly And Root Dig In Deep To Keep Ashes Hopes Alive

AFTER their Headingley horror show on the second day of this third Test against Australia all but ended their chances of regaining the Ashes, England have at least regained some pride with a battling batting display to take the contest into a fourth day.

- Chris Stocks

Joe Root, England’s captain who had started his second innings on a pair, led from the front, reaching stumps on an unbeaten 75 and with hopes of at least claiming a 17th Test century.

While that may not be enough to help his team chase down an England-record 359 and stay in with a chance of winning this series, it would at least quieten talk surrounding the future of his captaincy after his team’s humiliating capitulation to 67 all out in their first innings.

Alongside Root at the end of day three was Ben Stokes, a man who knows he can manufacture miracles after his runs in that barely-believable tied final against New Zealand at Lord’s last month secured England the World Cup.

The pair, with Stokes scoring two off 50 balls, at least saw out the day after Joe Denly’s gutsy 50 that might yet save him from being dropped was terminated by Josh Hazlewood 45 minutes before the close.

The equation going into the final day, though, is still unlikely for the hosts. Set 359 to win, they need a further 203 with seven wickets remaining.

That would represent a record run chase for England, whose current highest successful pursuit remains the 332-7 they managed against Australia at Melbourne in 1928.

They can, at least, still dream by perhaps reminding themselves of the Test here two years ago when a Shai Hopeinspired West Indies chased down 322.