The Ashes LIVE: England three down early on in response to Australia's 179 all out

The Ashes resumed on Thursday as England take on Australia in the third Test at Headingley.

Joe Root is playing at his home ground this week and knows his side need to win to level the series after defeat at Edgbaston and the draw at Lord’s.

Ahead of the match Root wished Australia’s Steve Smith well as he misses out with a concussion.

“You never want to see someone go off injured like that,” said Root, ahead of his home Test.

FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION FROM ENGLAND VS AUSTRALIA IN THE THIRD ASHES TEST WITH OUR LIVE SCORECARD BELOW

“There was a lot of concern in our dressing-room for his health and it’s great to see he’s up and about and is fine.

“He looks like he’s quite happy within himself.

“Of course this is a huge series and it means so much to all our players, but it doesn’t mean that much in terms of someone getting seriously hurt and potentially ruining the rest of their life.

“He is obviously a big focal part of their team and we have got to try and capitalise on this opportunity.

“But although it might give a little bit of a boost to the group, our whole team and squad want to wish him a speedy recovery.”

Smith’s stand-in – Lord’s concussion substitute Marnus Labuschagne – was himself hit in the grille by Jofra Archer in the Second Test but Australia captain Tim Paine says he is fine and has faith he will not let anyone down in Leeds.

“Marnus is strange, he seems to enjoy getting hit on the head, so he’s a different kettle of fish altogether,” said Paine.

“Marnus comes in to play a role in our team and it’s up to everyone else, particularly our senior players, to just make sure we give that little bit more output and cover Steve as best we can.”

Story of day one

England captain Joe Root won the toss and opted to bowl first against their rivals – a decision which paid dividends for the hosts

In just a few short overs before rain halted play Jofra Archer took a crucial early wicket for the home side, before Stuart Broad then got Usman Khawaja upon resumption to leave Australia 25-2.

David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne led Australia’s fightback, with the former scoring 61 before Archer had him caught behind to leave the Aussies 133-3.

Broad then had his second, bowling Travis Head with a beauty that clipped the top of the left-hander’s off stump, before Archer bowled Matthew Wade.

Chris Woakes chipped in with the wicket of Aussie skipper Tim Paine following a successful LBW review from England and Archer had his fourth when James Pattison edged to Root.

Archer and Ben Stokes took the wind well and truly out of the Aussies’ sails as they took their fifth and sixth, and first, wickets respectively.

Australia ended day one 179 all out with England in the ascendancy as they look to win the Test which can give them a chance of reclaiming the Ashes.

source: express.co.uk