England chase 251 in crucial Third Test, aiming for a less dramatic win than in 2019
Chris Woakes is optimistic that England can complete a crucial victory in the Third Ashes Test at Headingley, but he hopes it will be less nerve-wracking than their iconic win here in 2019. On the third day of play, following some rain delays, England ended the day on 27 without loss, requiring another 224 runs to seal a victory that would keep the series alive going into the Fourth Test at Old Trafford.
Woakes, reflecting on England’s dramatic one-wicket win four years ago, led by Ben Stokes, admitted he would prefer a more straightforward finish this time. “It would be nice to do it a little bit easier,” Woakes said, acknowledging the full day of play remaining. “We know what we’ve got to get. The scores in this game haven’t been high, so we know it’s probably not going to be straightforward. Hopefully, we can put some pressure on the Aussie bowlers.”
While England enjoyed success in chasing down targets last summer during the Bazball era, they have fallen short in their last two chases – losing by one run against New Zealand in Wellington and by 43 runs despite another heroic innings from Stokes at Lord’s.
“We know we can chase scores as a team,” Woakes continued. “It certainly suits us, which is a good thing. The scores haven’t been overly high in this game, so you don’t just walk into it thinking it’s going to be a doddle. Naturally, in a run chase, there are always nerves around. But they are good nerves. The thought of winning the Test, chasing down a score, and keeping yourself in the series.”
With England set to face an exciting challenge to win, Woakes stressed the team’s collective hunger to win not only Tests but also key moments within them.
