England all-rounder Chris Woakes says Australia could struggle to come back from Leeds loss

Pat Cummins shut down talk England had the Ashes momentum after Headingley, but the home team’s players are adamant the tourists are under pressure.

Resurgent England all-rounder Chris Woakes has declared the pressure is back on Australia after defeat at Headingley, and ending a two-decade drought of series wins in the UK could be “hard to get over the line” for the tourists despite holding a 2-1 Ashes lead.

Australian skipper Pat Cummins flatly rejected any notion the home side had gained the momentum in the series after their victory at Leeds, which came after the Aussies won the opening two games.

A win in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, where Australia retained the Ashes in 2019, would ensure the urn stays with Cummins’ side and a first series win in England since 2001.

That such an achievement is so close could make it harder for the Australians according to Woakes, who returned to the England side with success at Headingley and hit the winning runs for his team.

He said the buoyant mood in the home team’s camp, plus the task facing Australia to end a two-decade drought, with questions over the make-up of their side as well, could make things harder for the visitors going to Manchester.

“In our dressing room the belief is we can win 3-2, I think it‘s always been there,” Woakes said.

Chris Woakes (right) celebrates with teammate Mark Wood after hitting the winning runs. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images

“You don‘t want to look too far ahead, you have to play what’s in front of you, each ball, each day, each session, each Test match as it comes.

“I‘d imagine when you’re so close to getting something, the harder it gets, and I’m sure the Aussies will be feeling that now.

“Once you get so close to something, it‘s actually hard to get that over the line, isn’t it? We’ve got to turn up in Manchester and put in another performance.

“They’re an extremely good side and we’re going to have to be at our best to beat them again.”

Changes are looming to the Australian team for the fourth Test, with fast bowler Josh Hazlewood likely to replace Scott Boland, while selectors face a task deciding whether Headingley century-maker Mitch Marsh will make way for fellow all-rounder Cameron Green.

The fate of opener David Warner, who was twice out to his English nemesis Stuart Broad for single-figure scores in Leeds, also remains unclear.

Stuart Broad has David Warner’s measure. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images

In 30 innings opening with Usman Khawaja since the start of 2022, Warner has been the first man dismissed on 22 occasions.

But Australian coach Andrew McDonald pointed to the veteran’s contribution to three 50-run opening partnerships in six innings so far as a point in his favour.

“You’ve also got to reflect on what the opening partnership’s been able to do across the six innings, and there’s been three 50-plus partnerships in there,” McDonald said.

“Albeit it didn’t function to its level (in Headingley), in some ways it’s done well so far in this series.

“We’ve got a lot to consider and a lot to weigh up.”