After two days of fast-paced action, the ongoing Headingley Test match between England and Australia is tantalisingly poised. The Baggy Greens are marginally ahead after they secured slender first innings lead and posted 116/4 by the end of Day 2. Heading into Day 3, Australia have a lead of 142 runs with Travis Head and centurion from the first innings, Mitchell Marsh at the crease. The visitors had a chance to consolidate their position after bowling out England cheaply.
Australia's top 2 batters, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith squandered a perfect batting track against a depleted England bowling attack by gifting their wickets after tea to Moeen Ali. The two quick wickets brought spring back into English players' shoes.
When Smith was sent packing by Ali, wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow have the former Aussie skipper a cheeky send-off and was heard saying 'see ya smudge' on the stump mic.
Smith reacted strongly and replied 'what was that mate?' before shouting 'hey' at Bairstow. The England wicket-keeper replied 'I said cheers, see ya later'.
Watch the video here:
England was all out for 237 before tea after captain Ben Stokes muscled 80 runs and shepherded the tail to get them within 26 runs of Australia's first total. Australia captain Pat Cummins banked 6-91 for his first five-wicket haul in England. Cummins is trying to help his side clinch the Ashes for the first time in England since 2001. England must win to stay alive.
Despite a flattening, sun-drenched pitch, wickets were falling at a pace that suggested the match might be over on Sunday with a day to spare. The Australians were keeping England in the contest, despite the home side bowling without pacer Ollie Robinson after his back spasm on Thursday.
Day 3, which is often called the moving day, might present a clear picture of which team drives home the ascendancy and take a step closer towards a massive victory in the context of the series.Â
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