The Ashes LIVE: Joe Root out as England chase down 359 at Headingley to beat Australia | Cricket | Sport

The Ashes resumed on Thursday as England take on Australia in the third Test at Headingley.

Joe Root is playing at his home ground this week and knows his side need to win to level the series after defeat at Edgbaston and the draw at Lord’s.

England enjoyed a strong first day, limiting Australia to 179 runs following a late flurry of wickets. However, they fell apart on Friday and, having not been made to follow on, saw Australia build up a healthy lead.

But England gave themselves a glimmer of hope. Chasing 359 to win, they closed day three on 156-3.

Joe Root was dismissed early on day four though.

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England now have it all to do as they attempt to stop Australia keeping hold of the Ashes.

Ahead of the match Root wished Australia’s Steve Smith well as he misses out with a concussion.

“You never want to see someone go off injured like that,” said Root, ahead of his home Test. “There was a lot of concern in our dressing-room for his health and it’s great to see he’s up and about and is fine.

“He looks like he’s quite happy within himself. Of course this is a huge series and it means so much to all our players, but it doesn’t mean that much in terms of someone getting seriously hurt and potentially ruining the rest of their life.

“He is obviously a big focal part of their team and we have got to try and capitalise on this opportunity. But although it might give a little bit of a boost to the group, our whole team and squad want to wish him a speedy recovery.”

Story of day three

England needed quick wickets if they were to have any hope of turning the match around – and they got them.

Australia were all out before lunch and it left England 359 to chase to win the second Test.

Jason Roy fell early again while Rory Burns also departed in the first few overs.

Joe Root and Joe Denly both reached 50 though Denly was out for exactly that score.

Root and Ben Stokes saw England through to close to keep that glimmer of hope.

Story of day two

Australia closed in on a victory that will see them retain the Ashes after ending an incredible second day of the third test with a lead of 283 runs, having bowled out England for an embarrassing 67 in their first innings on Friday.

Australia were on 171-6 in their second innings at the close at Headingley, with a sizeable advantage after England suffered a humiliating day at the crease.

Starting the day chasing Australia’s first-innings total of 179 and trailing 1-0 in the five-match series, England lost cheap wickets and were dismissed for their 12th lowest test innings total ever in glorious sunshine in Leeds.

Joe Denly top scored with a measly 12 runs — the lowest ever highest score for an England batsman in a test innings — with captain Joe Root, on his home ground, falling for his second duck in a row as the hosts’ innings lasted less than 28 overs.

Australia, spearheaded by Steve Smith’s replacement Marnus Labuschagne (53 not out), added to their lead in the evening session, before two late wickets gave England some hope of salvaging the test.

As holders, Australia would retain the Ashes with victory as England could only draw the series.

Story of day one

England captain Joe Root won the toss and opted to bowl first against their rivals – a decision which paid dividends for the hosts

In just a few short overs before rain halted play Jofra Archer took a crucial early wicket for the home side, before Stuart Broad then got Usman Khawaja upon resumption to leave Australia 25-2.

David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne led Australia’s fightback, with the former scoring 61 before Archer had him caught behind to leave the Aussies 133-3.

Broad then had his second, bowling Travis Head with a beauty that clipped the top of the left-hander’s off stump, before Archer bowled Matthew Wade.

Chris Woakes chipped in with the wicket of Aussie skipper Tim Paine following a successful LBW review from England and Archer had his fourth when James Pattison edged to Root.

Archer and Ben Stokes took the wind well and truly out of the Aussies’ sails as they took their fifth and sixth, and first, wickets respectively.

Australia ended day one 179 all out with England in the ascendancy as they look to win the Test which can give them a chance of reclaiming the Ashes.