ENG vs IND, 1st Test Day 5: Ball-by-ball updates from Headingley-OxBig News Network

14:36 IST:

The day was August 25th, a bright, sunny evening in Leeds, and the occasion was the Ashes 2019, with a houseful and lively Headingley crowd on Day 4, which was about to witness something truly extraordinary. England were 9 down chasing 359, with Australia sniffing victory in this crucial 3rd Test. Ben Stokes stood alone, keeping the flame of the chase ignited while shielding the tail. Jack Leach walked out as the last man with England still in need of 73 runs. They formed a strong last-wicket stand, and the equation shrank down to just 1 run. Pat Cummins ran in full tilt, Stokes was on strike, and smashed that length ball through covers before wheeling away in pure joy, arching back, with arms stretched wide open. That Ashes ended in a draw, though, with the coveted urn staying with Australia, but this was Test cricket for the ages.