Third Test in balance after advantage is squandered

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Australia have squandered a perfect chance to ram home their advantage in the third Test at Headingley, letting England back into the Ashes after two poor sessions.

On another pulsating day of this frantic series, Australia lost 3-22 midway through the evening session on Friday to go to stumps on day two at 4-116 and with a lead of 142.

England celebrate a wicket. Getty Images

With a win enough to secure Australia their first Ashes series victory in England in 22 years, Pat Cummins’ men looked well on track with England crumbling to 7-142 by lunch.

But from there, the day went south for Australia.

Ben Stokes did what Ben Stokes does best, producing a counter-attacking 80 and hitting five sixes in a 50-minute period after lunch to lift England to 257 and a deficit of 26.

Stokes smashed his most memorable innings at Headingley against Australia four years ago.

And while he did not reach three figures on Friday, if England are to win this third Test and stay in the series his innings could be viewed as almost as crucial.

Then, with his team back in the match, normal service was restored.

David Warner reacts after being dismissed by Stuart Broad again. Getty Images

Stuart Broad was able to dismiss David Warner in the first over of Australia’s innings, drawing his edge with one that angled in at the left-hander.

It marked the 17th time Broad has claimed Warner’s wicket in Test cricket, and the second time in seven balls in this match alone.

But there was another sting in the tail after Australia fought back to 1-68.

Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed when he swept Moeen Ali straight to a man on the legside boundary when he went aerial off the spinner on 33.

Marnus Labuschagne walks after losing his wicket. Reuters

Steve Smith