- By Himanshu Badola
- Sun, 09 Jul 2023 12:45 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
JE Sports Desk: Former Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath believes that England have a very great chance to win after the way England batter towards the end of the third day of the third Ashes Test at Headingley on Saturday.
The hosts finished the rain-marred day with 27 runs on the board as they need 224 runs more to win with 10 wickets in hand.
McGrath said Australia need to be on their game on Day 4 as there is still enough in the Headingley pitch for them. The visitors were bowled out for 224 runs on Day 3 with Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes bagging three wickets each.
“The thing is, they score so quickly, so Australia need to be on their game first thing tomorrow and see what the overhead conditions are going to be like. I think that'll probably play a big part in what happens, but there's still enough in this pitch for the Australians,” said McGrath while speaking to BBC Sport.
“If we get enough balls in the right area, I think we can create 10 chances. The fact that they put on 54 for the last two (wickets) was a bit of a bonus – 250, it's there for Australia, but the way England bat, they love chasing, it's theirs for the taking,” McGrath added.
The openers provided a promising start with Ben Duckett (18*) and Zak Crawley (9*) looking strong at the crease. Only a horrible collapse could see England in a bothering situation that also could cost them the famous series.
Meanwhile, the former England skipper Michael Vaughan said that the game is in the court of the English team unless they commit too many mistakes.
“England should have enough. In the last year, they've chased a total like this and more four times, so they're a good chasing side. They know how to do it. Unless England make a lot of mistakes, and they have that in them too, I think they're going to have enough to chase down this target,” said Vaughan.
Ben Stokes-led side will come out with full belief to avoid a loss so that they can make a comeback in the series, having already been 2-0 down after losing at Edgbaston and Lord's.