Day three of the third Ashes Test: Joe Root digs deep to keep dream alive

England need another 203 runs to triumph on day four.

Captain Joe Root carried England’s hopes of keeping the Ashes alive as he dug deep in pursuit of a record fourth-innings chase on day three at Headingley.

Australia set the winning line at a distant 359 in the third Specsavers Test – 27 more than any other England side has ever managed – and hoped to reopen the fault lines that saw the hosts skittled for a paltry 67 on Saturday.

England might have been suffering from deja vu at 15 for two but Root showed steel, determination and leadership as he reached 75 not out in a stumps total of 156 for three.

Root arrived at the crease having failed to score in each of his last two knocks but channelled the old-fashioned virtues that his side have too frequently neglected as he dropped anchor for five hours and 189 deliveries.

His primary foil was Joe Denly, who survived an uncomfortable start to his innings to make 50 in a vital third-wicket stand worth 125, and Root will begin again on day four with alongside his deputy, Ben Stokes, with England needing another 203 on day four.

Tweet of the day

Hear, hear. Fears of another batting horror show would have been heightened after England lost Rory Burns and Jason Roy early in their pursuit of 359 but Root and Denly showed admirable resolve, largely eschewing more ambitious strokes in favour of the application many were crying out for after posting a wretched 67 all out the previous day.

Snap shot

Australia's Josh Hazlewood celebrates taking the wicket of England's Rory Burns — Australia’s Josh Hazlewood celebrates taking the wicket of England’s Rory Burns (Mike Egerton/PA)

Denly was potentially batting for his Test future on Saturday. With an average of 22 heading into the fourth innings, the Kent batsman rode his luck but showed no lack of discipline and fortitude in the face of some hostile Australian bowling. Whether a knock of 50 will be enough to retain his place remains to be seen but a 126-run stand with Root has given England a glimmer of hope.

Monty masterclass

England’s dire batting on the second day led to a situation where even Monty Panesar – who spent the majority of his international career at number 11, averaging 4.88 – was chipping in with advice. Tips from the former left-arm spinner on his Twitter channel included leaving the ball outside off-stump and becoming more top-hand dominant.

A century, at last, for Root

Root’s defiant innings kept the Test, and indeed the series, alive for at least another day. He will look to swell his overnight 75 not out but he made it to three figures in another facet on Saturday. By pouching James Pattinson, the Yorkshireman became only the ninth English outfielder to reach the landmark of 100 Test catches.

Stokes self-flagellates

Ben Stokes bowled unchanged at the Football Stand end for 24.2 overs (Mike Egerton/PA)

Money ball

There was not much Jason Roy could do about Pat Cummins' jaffa — There was not much Jason Roy could do about Pat Cummins’ jaffa (Tim Goode/PA)

What’s next?

August 25: England v Australia, day four of the third Ashes Test, Headingley.