Harry Brook stars as England keep Ashes alive with three-wicket win over Australia at Headingley

England clinched a three-wicket victory over Australia to win the third Test and keep the Ashes alive following a dramatic day at Headingley.

Harry Brook hit an impressive 75 before Chris Woakes and Mark Wood helped England to the required total of 251.

There will now be a nine-day break before the fourth Test takes place at Old Trafford with the Ashes hanging in the balance.

England resumed on 27-0, requiring another 224 runs but lost their first wicket of the day when Ben Duckett was removed by Mitchell Starc’s first ball which was full and straight. He missed his flick through midwicket and his questionable review was unsuccessful.

Surprisingly, Moeen Ali emerged to bat at number three. It was a decision that didn’t pay off as Starc got his second wicket of the morning with Ali attempting a drive but instead got an inside edge and the ball clattering the stumps.

England were soon three down as Zak Crawley’s edged a good-length delivery from Mitchell Marsh, making an easy catch for Alex Carey.

At this stage the match remained in the balance with England still needing 158 runs to win. Brook’s well-timed straight drive brought up 100, but just as England looked to put themselves in a nice position, Joe Root was dismissed by Pat Cummings’ leg-side delivery which was caught by Carey.

The afternoon took another twist when captain Ben Stokes’ made slight contact down the leg side of Starc’s delivery and again Carey was there to take the catch. Suddenly all of England’s left-handers were back in the hutch.

Worse was to come as just minutes later Bairstow’s inside edge rattled onto the stumps, as Australia threatened to take control.

Step forward Brooks, who reached a half-century off just 57 balls to reignite England’s hopes and helped them to over 200.

He, too, was removed by Starc as he looped the ball into the air, Cummings collided with the bowler but still managed to cling onto the catch, with England still requiring 21 runs to win.

That left the pressure on Woakes and Wood, with the latter responding with a superb six off Cummings and an important four off Starc.

Woakes added the decisive four off Starc as Headingley erupted.

Player of the Match Wood, who took 7-100 and scored 40 runs, said afterwards: “I am delighted to be stood here and great for us to win the match and it keeps the series alive.

“I was not good in the dressing room! Sweaty palms all the way! It is a lot easier in the middle than when you’re sat up there. It was tough against some of the best bowlers in the world and it is the first time I’ve got England over the line with the bat so I’m delighted.

“It is absolutely too soon for all-rounder status! I’m happy down at number nine. I think that is too high and any higher I’m definitely getting a nose bleed!”