The Ashes LIVE: England vs Australia score and third Test updates

Head was also asked about the game situation and replied: “I think this whole series has ebbed and flowed so it’s hard to see (who is on top) at the half way point now.

“We’ve got to a total but we’d love more runs.

“I think anyone would say that in any situation, but we want to bring our very best tomorrow and try to win the Test match.”

He added: “We’ve been in similar positions where we’ve had our backs up the wall. It’s a huge day in the series tomorrow, I think it would be silly for both camps to not say that there’s nerves.

“I think it’s fair to say that it’s a nice play to be with the series on the line and hopefully we can redeem something from 2019 at this place.”

Australia’s star performer on day three was Travis Head. He plundered England’s attack – in a style very reminiscent of Ben Stokes – for 77 on Saturday evening to help the tourists to a competitive total with England now requiring 251 runs in their second innings to win the game.

Speaking at the close of play yesterday, Head said: “We’ll see where it lies when we finish tomorrow.

“I felt like I battled through today for periods and tried to put some pressure back on them at the end there. I feel like we’ve got an opportunity to try and win a Test match.”

On similarities to Stokes’ first-innings 80, he added: “I don’t think you can compare me and Ben together. I just tried to give myself as much space.

“I felt I worked through it well.”

Chris Woakes called on England to channel Headingley 2019 and drag themselves back into the Ashes – although the seamer hopes there is a more straightforward path to victory.

England closed on 27 without loss in pursuit of 251, a tricky ask as they have to better a first-innings 237, after Australia were skittled for 224 on a truncated day three of the third Test.

Adding to the tension is England knowing they will lose the series at the earliest possible opportunity if they fall short in the chase, although the target is some way below the 359 they were set four years ago.

Here’s a few highlights from yesterday’s action when England took control of the third test. They now need to hammer home their dominant position with an impressive batting display this morning.

With the promise of another exciting day of test match cricket coming up, it would be a great shame if the weather were to play a negative part in proceedings.

Thankfully, the forecast is much better today and the sun is shining over Headingley.

There are showers and a risk of thunderstorms in the late afternoon but the forecast shows enough good weather around to get a result in this Test today.

England were eyeing another memorable Ashes climax at Headingley after knocking over Australia to leave themselves in charge of a fourth-innings chase in the third Test.

The third day in Leeds looked destined to be a washout, with no play possible until 4.45pm, but those who kept the faith were rewarded with a gripping final session that saw the home side grab control of the game and keep alive their dreams of regaining the urn.

Well rested after a long dressing room vigil watching the rain fall, they picked up the hunt and took six wickets for 108 to roll their rivals for 224. That left a chase of 251, with openers Zak Crawley (9*) and Ben Duckett (18*) making a breezy 27 without loss in five overs at the death.

England’s efforts with the ball on a rain-affected third day at Headingley has left them in pole position to win the third Ashes Test Match.

Saturday’s play did not start until 4.45pm – due to rain washing out the first two sessions – but when the players took to the field, England made full use of helpful overhead conditions. Australia resumed their second innings on 116-4 with Travis Head (77) and Mitchell Marsh at the crease.

Marsh fell to Chris Woakes who found a touch of extra bounce to catch the edge as the allrounder attempted to leave the ball. From there England’s seam attack, which also included Mark Wood and Stuart Broad, piled on the pressure to dismiss the tourists for 224.

That fine display from England left them with half an hour to bat through in the evening session with Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley seeing the team safely through to stumps.

Ben Stokes’ men resume on 27-0 chasing their target of 251 to keep the series alive. Australia can win the Ashes if they take 10 wickets before England get there.

It’s set to be another cracking day of test match cricket so stick around as the third test draws towards its conclusion at Headingley.