Ashes 2023: England take 2 wickets to get upper hand over Australia on Day 3 at Old Trafford

England’s Ben Stokes and Harry Brook resumed on Day 3 with a big lead on the agenda. With rain on the cards for the weekend, runs needed to come quickly and fortunately the pair got their side off to a positive start. 

The pair brought up a key 50 run partnership in the early overs of the day, and with the sun out they both looked good. The lead passed 100 in the 78th over thanks to three boundaries from Brook.

The lead reached 120 by the time the partnership was broken, Ben Stokes was bowled by Pat Cummins- but not before he reached 50. Jonny Bairstow joined his fellow Yorkshireman Brook at the crease.

Runs continued to flow throughout a gloomy morning at Old Trafford, and the lead surpassed 150 by the time Brook was sent back to the pavillion by Josh Hazlewood for 61. Chris Woakes came and went first ball as England began to take more and more risks.

At lunch England were 506-8 after Wood was bowled on the stroke of the break. The lead was 189, and the question over lunch was 'will that be enough for Ben Stokes?'

After lunch the assault continued, led by Jonny Bairstow, and the lead up past 270 in a blistering last wicket partnership with James Anderson. Anderson did fall, and Bairstow finished on an agonising 99 not out. England all out for 592.

England kept the momentum going with the ball, and both Khawaja and Warner departed for less than 30. At 54-2, Australia still trailed by over 220. England's challenge was to now keep Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne quiet.