Ashes 2019: England v Australia, third Test day four – live!

I like Scott’s approach; methodical, like how a batting coach would break down the challenge.

Pitch: The Headingley surface has offered something to the seamers throughout this Test but it’s also improved for batting the longer the match has worn on. There are no gremlins for England to fear, although there are growing footmarks Nathan Lyon could exploit when bowling to left-handers.

Tor Turner has emailed in, and I’ll paraphrase, because it sums up what the majority of England supporters seem to communicating. We really really really want and hope England to win. But, it’s horribly possible to see them collapse in under an hour.

There can’t be many sporting sides around the world where the gap between two credible outcomes is so vast. Nor where that dichotomy is so keenly embraced by the team’s supporters.

So, how did it come to this? Let’s turn to Vic Marks for some guidance.

When England were 15 for two in their seventh over with another 344 runs required for victory and 70 overs to be bowled in the day, swift exit possibilities were being explored. Now other possibilities, more unlikely but much more intriguing, have surfaced. In their pursuit of 359 for victory England were 156 for three at the close with Joe Root on home turf attempting to play the innings of his life. At stumps he was unbeaten on 75, which already constitutes his innings of the series.

“Since we’re talking about unlikely events, there have been two ties in test cricket history and only four higher fourth innings run chases.” A tie! An excellent idea Ian Forth. That results in a super over, right?

Michael Robinson touches on the how, not how may. An interesting approach considering so much of England’s difficulty this summer has been attributed to the focus on white ball run-scoring. “As much as I don’t back England today I can’t help but think that if Root/Stokes, and then Buttler and Bairstow can just keep blocking the ball for two days then the runs will come. Lord knows they got long enough to soak up maidens.”

James Roe has joined the growing legion of believers. “England just need to dig in and survive the first 20 overs then the Aussies will start to tire and we could be on for a famous England win. The spirit of our world cup victory and never say die and England can do it!”

I can’t decide whether this groundswell of confidence makes me think of Les Mis or Les Fat.

“It can’t happen but I can’t stop thinking it might” emails Ben Heywood. “203 runs. 7 wickets left (4 useful). Two days still to play. I know I shouldn’t daydream about a record-breaking, unprecedented comeback, and that we’ll probably be all out by lunchtime….but…but…but…isn’t the mere possibility of the impossible why we watch sport in the first place?”

Yes, Ben, yes it is. And reading these emails and watching these dreams shatter into a thousand tiny pieces is why Australians watch the Ashes.

Bruce Henderson is steaming in from the Kirkstall Lane end, convinced England are going to do it (with a little help from Steve Marriott), declaring: “For England, this is the summer of all. Not nothing.”