The Ashes: Mitchell Marsh and Mark Wood star as late wickets leave Third Test in the balance

With the Ashes on the line and weekend rain on the horizon, England were in desperate need of a fast start at Headingley in this must-win Third Test. Just as well, then, that Mark Wood was back in the mix.

The (very) quick, playing a belated first Test of the series, was simply sensational, blasting through Australia at top and tail, with only a quite brilliant counter-attacking 118 from Mitchell Marsh and some horrific catching (he was dropped on 12) in between helping Pat Cummins’ side to 263 all-out. The all-rounder, playing his first Test since 2019 at the Oval, was in the wickets, too, removing Zak Crawley for 33 as England slipped to 68 to three in reply.