Ashes 3rd Test, Day 1| Igniting the Pitch: The Ashes' Spectacular Flame-Filled Contest
Mark Wood after his five-wicket haul (AP Photo)
The 3rd Ashes Test began with the England Captain winning the toss and deciding to field at Headingley, Leeds. On Day 1, We had everything, from a fiery spell of Mark Wood to a comeback carnage from Mitchell Marsh. After the end of the first day, England finished with 68-3, having bowled out Australia for 263 at Headingley. It is very tricky to say who had an upper hand after the end of the day's play.
A day that twerked in one way or another. The first session belonged to England, they took four big wickets of Australia, crushing their top-order at very less runs. In the second session, Australia made a spectacular comeback with the 155 runs stand for the fifth wicket by Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head. The entire session owned by Australia, Mitchell Marsh scored a magnificent run-a-ball 118 runs with 17 fours and 4 sixes.
In the third session, again England came back strongly and grabbed the last six wickets by giving just 23 runs. Australia were 240-4 at one stage and they were bowled out at 263, credit goes to Mark Wood, coming back from an injury, Wood showed no mercy and picked 5 wickets giving away just 34 runs.
Wood on Fire: The Thunderous Pace and Fiery Spell
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Wood's Wickets Pitch Map at Ashes Day 1
Mark Wood was the savior for England on the first day of the 3rd Ashes test. Wood bowled sustained pace and aggression and claimed his first five-wicket haul in a home test and assisted England clean up the Australia innings at a low total.
Mark Wood bowled in the stump line, targeting off and middle stumps and his length was between the good and fuller region. Specifically, the bowl of which he got the wicket of Usman Khawaja was bowled at the speed of 152 kmph and the ball swung back to Khawaja and he got beat with the sheer pace and swing of that delivery.
Wood, who finished with 5/34 from 11.4 overs, tore through Australia's tail in a chaotic collapse, losing 6 wickets for just 23 runs after tea. Wood said, for me, being able to move the ball today, it’s really helped me, because that’s not something that I’ve always done to be brutally honest.
Marsh Madness: Unleashing the Run Blitz
Mitchell Marsh replaced injured Cameron Green for the third Ashes test, Mitchell Marsh blasted 118 runs in a stunning counter-attack inning, which featured 17 fours and 4 sixes.
Marsh scored most of his runs with pull shot which gave him 23.73 percent of runs. 18.64 percent of his runs came through cover drive. He scored 19 runs with the help of leg-glance and 14 runs alongside off-drive.
Marsh played his shots all over the ground, and his 102 ball century was the fastest by an Australian cricketer in England since 1902. "It was a crazy day. It was nice to be back wearing my baggy green and it was a long time coming.” Marsh told BBC Sport at stumps.
Conclusion
An exciting day of Test cricket, showing us almost everything, two comeback heroes, Marsh scoring an excellent century for Australia, whereas for England, Wood snatched five wickets. With Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow still at the crease, the test is evenly balanced right now, the second day would be very crucial for both the teams, particularly for England, who already are falling behind in the series with 0-2 in favor of Australia.
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