England player ratings from third Ashes Test as four stars score nine in big win

The Ashes series is well and truly alive after England halved their deficit with a huge victory at Headingley in the third Test.

Ben Stokes's side reached their fourth-innings victory target of 251 with three wickets to spare to record their first win of the series and leave the score at 2-1 going into the fourth Test at Old Trafford on Wednesday week.

There were several standout performers with both bat and ball over the course of the four days in Leeds, but also one or two who will be sweating over their spots in Manchester.

Here's how England rated...

Zak Crawley: 6

Two promising starts, two failures to go on. England reckon he will produce a big one soon, let’s hope it doesn’t come too late.

Ben Duckett: 4

Got the basics wrong in both innings and made life far too easy for the Aussie bowlers. Lord’s looking like the anomaly at the moment.

Harry Brook: 9

Under huge pressure against high quality bowling he marshalled a successful run chase to keep the series alive.

Brook's 75 in the second innings was crucial to England's run chase (Greig Cowie/REX/Shutterstock)

Joe Root: 4

It is rare to see a player of his obvious quality get himself in twice and not go on to make either innings tell. The dropped catches in the field really sting too.

Jonny Bairstow: 3

The difference between last year and this for Bairstow at his home ground couldn’t be more Starc. The lack of runs and dropped catches made for grim viewing.

Ben Stokes: 9

Almost single-handedly kept his team in the game with his first innings 80. Only surprise is that he didn’t hit the winning runs this time.

Stokes' 80 in the first innings made sure England's deficit was insignificant (AFP via Getty Images)

Moeen Ali: 6

Promoted to No.3 in the second innings but his batting efforts were underwhelming. With the ball though he played his part with big wickets.

Chris Woakes: 9

Couldn’t have done much more. Three key wickets in each innings and then the perfect foil for Brook and Wood to bring the game home.

Ollie Robinson: 4

The return of the back spasm for Robinson is a major concern. Had to be carried in this game and looks a doubt for Old Trafford.

Robinson was forced off with a problematic back spasm (STEVE BOND/PPAUK/REX/Shutterstock)

Mark Wood: 9

With great pace and great skill comes great responsibility and Wood handled it brilliantly. His batting was a bonus but it made a big difference to the result.

Stuart Broad: 8

Having a terrific series and is tormenting David Warner yet again. If his body is up to it, needs to keep going.