Weekend Review: BazBall to the rescue as wonderful Wood and Woakes make Headingley hum

England looks to have caught a case of Ashes fever after a Harry Brook-led charge halved Australia’s test series lead ahead of a crucial showdown in Manchester.

Brook hit 75 in a tense test at Headingley but it fell to the dynamic duo of Chris Woakes and Mark Wood to drag England over the finish line, eventually winning by three wickets.

In true BazBall fashion, after smashing a six and a subsequent four, Wood went for the spectacular. His shot saw the ball come down with snow on it and Alex Carey scrambled for the catch.

England fans could sigh in relief after the Australian failed to latch on after his valiant sprint before Woakes slashed four to the rope to secure the win.

Australia had threatened to sew up the series and with imperial bowling from Mitchell Starc with 5-78 in the second innings, but England managed to hold on.

Strong bowling showings from Wood, Woakes and Stuart Broad earlier in the test ultimately came in clutch in the low-scoring affair.

Bet365’s Steve Freeth said: “England are now 4/1 from 12/1 to win the Ashes after another thrilling test. The Aussies had touched 8/13 to make it 3-0 on Friday afternoon having looked in command with the hosts toiling at 7/2.

“However, we’re all left counting the days to Old Trafford after England, that started day four at 3/10 to make it 2-1, chased down 251 with just a little bit to spare thanks largely to Yorkshireman Harry Brook. And the icing on the cake was no damage done on the liability front.”

Betfred’s Alan Firkins added: “Over at Headingley, where cricket routinely becomes the most exciting sport known to man, the home side dragged itself back into the Ashes conversation. Just. England are now 4/1 to win the series – that will look huge if they can win again at Old Trafford next week.”

Meanwhile, in horseracing, Aidan O’Brien secured his seventh win in the Eclipse Stakes after Paddington emerged victorious at Sandown.

The 8/11 favourite held off the challenge of Emily Upjohn after running out half a length in front of the runner up.

Firkins said: “The heavily supported Paddington was busy winning an Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, setting up a potential Juddmonte at York that could include the likes of Mostahdaf, dual Derby hero Auguste Rodin and Saturday’s game runner-up Emily Upjohn.”

Elsewhere in football, England Under-21’s ended a 39-year wait for a trophy, lifting the Euros 2023 title after beating Spain 1-0 in Georgia.

In a weekend of slim pickings for football action, fans and punters tuned in to watch the Young Lions emerge victorious on Saturday afternoon thanks to a fortuitous goal.

Manchester City’s Cole Palmer’s free kick ricocheted off the back of Curtis Jones in first-half stoppage time before a tense second 45 minutes which culminated in a 99th minute penalty save from England’s James Trafford to seal victory.

Trafford, who is on the verge of a move to Burnley, kept a clean sheet in all six games at the tournament, setting a new record in the process.

Betfred’s Firkins noted: “England’s Young Lions, well-backed, won the Euro U-21 Football Championship in Georgia – an outstanding achievement.”

Last but not least, in F1, British duo Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton took podium places behind the irresistible force that is Max Verstappen at the British Grand Prix.

The race, watched by 160,000 spectators at Silverstone, marked Verstappen’s sixth successive victory, and with Norris and Hamilton on the podium, it was the first time since 1999 that two Brits came in the top three on their home circuit.

Freeth said: “We might have finished with our noses in front in the cricket, but we come a cropper at Silverstone with the well-supported pair of Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton both making the podium.”

With pre-season friendlies starting to pop up and the Women’s World Cup a few weeks away, football fans should be satiated.

Freeth quipped: “Who needs the football season!? Well, me really, having been to Kidsgrove versus Stoke XI and Coleshill versus Chasetown over the weekend.”