Another classic sets Ashes on fire

The hosts ended up winning the battle of nerves at Headingley to record their first victory of the series

- Ashish Magotra

As Chris Woakes (32*) punched the air after smashing the winning runs through point, the crowd on the Western Terrace rose in unison. Till just a few minutes ago, the nerves had been jangling, the nails were being eaten. But now they rose, free of their tension-induced shackles, to raise a toast to their champions.

England beat Australia by three wickets in the third Test at Headingley; a Test that had as many twists and turns as a Formula One circuit and a script that only a fool or a genius would dare envision. Uncertainty makes for a compelling match and if you ever wanted proof of that, you just have to see how the current Ashes series has played out.

Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, England don't just want to win. They want to entertain and their style has managed to make Test cricket come of age in an era dominated by T20 cricket. This is theatre. This is a gladiatorial contest. This is madness.

The sun was out on Sunday and the batting conditions were way better than they were when Australia batted in their second innings. But a chase of 251 in the fourth innings of a Test is never easy. The pitch is an unknown variable and so are the nerves. However, Harry Brook, batting at No. 5 instead of the No.3 he batted at in the first innings, played an innings of rare quality to guide England to victory with the series on the line.