Ashes third Test: How England's players rated in Leeds after good win
- Planet Sport writer
- 9 July 2023
There were several stand-out performances as England kept the Ashes alive with a hard-fought win over Australia in the third Test.
England player ratings from the third Ashes Test
Zak Crawley: Scores of 33 and 44 promised much but both times his edge was taken after Mitch Marsh dangled the carrot outside off. Four 30-plus scores in six innings but just one fifty. 6 (out of 10).
Ben Duckett: Endured a quiet Test after two fifties at Lord's. Helped England make a positive start in pursuit of 251 but was stopped in his tracks after Mitchell Starc blew his front pad off. 5
Harry Brook: Catapulted to first drop after Ollie Pope's injury but settled back in his usual position of five in the second innings, responding with an assertive 75 that broke the back of a nervy chase. 8
Joe Root: Put down two regulation catches at first slip, the first off Marsh costing England a mammoth 112 runs. Got in then got out, twice dismissed by Pat Cummins, who has had his number 11 times now. 4
Jonny Bairstow: Tipped to make Australia pay after Lord's, Bairstow dropped another three catches, two dollies and one tough. The lack of confidence with the gloves seems to be seeping into his batting. 4
Ben Stokes: Produced another colossal knock as his muscular 80 dragged England to within parity but an increasingly creaky lower body, which restricted his role as batter only, continues to cause concern. 8
Moeen Ali: Offered crucial containment to tie down Australia in the second innings and snared Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith to reach 200 Test wickets. Promotion to three in the chase did not pay off. 7
Chris Woakes: An impressive return after 16 months away. Six wickets, all of them in Australia's top seven, bowling at good pace and for long spells. An instrumental 32 not out got England home and he fittingly hit the winning runs. 9
Mark Wood: Enjoyed his best Test in England with searing speeds, topping out at 96.5mph, and hostility which unsettled every Australian batter in his way. Celebrated a first five-wicket haul in England while he had two crucial - as well as entertaining - cameos with the bat. 9
Stuart Broad: Maintained his stranglehold over David Warner to up his dismissals tally against the Australian to 17. Currently the top wicket-taker (16) in the series and could play all five Tests. 8
Ollie Robinson: A back spasm limited him to 11.2 overs and a brief role with the bat. Even if he is fighting fit at Emirates Old Trafford, the seamer might take a breather. 4
