England survive nervous moments to win at Headingley and notch their first Ashes win

England turn to a new generation of heroes to win a Test match that they looked to have lost on the second day and looked likely to lose after lunch on the last.

Mark Wood, right, celebrates with Chris Woakes after the latter hit a boundary to win the Headingley Test match on day four. Picture: AFP

England have breathed life back into the Ashes and the Bazball brand, winning a Test match that they looked to have lost on the second day and looked likely to lose after lunch on the last.

Ben Stokes’ side eventually got there by three wickets, but the game felt in the balance almost to the last delivery.

The series is now 2-1 in Australia’s favour with both sides taking a long break before the contest continues at Old Trafford in 10 days.

This was another thriller in a series that promises to go down as one of the best played between the two nations since 2005.

The crowd and both sides rode every delivery. Every single was a victory for the Yorkshire faithful. Boundaries were celebrated like births, wickets a national tragedy.

What England lack in quality they make up for with self confidence and they will believe in their hearts they can win the last three and deny Australia the chance of victory in the UK for the first time since 2001.

With four runs to go Mark Wood top edged a delivery and two nations held their breath. Scott Boland was back on the rope, but dared not move as Alex Carey came hurtling back toward him.

The keeper dived, but failed to glove the catch just metres from the boundary.

Alex Carey just fails to catch Mark Wood at Headingley. Picture: Getty Images

Earlier Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc had collided under another high catch.

It was just one of those sort of days. Small things became matters of great import, breathing was difficult.

England was seven wickets down when Chris Woakes (32no) got the winning runs away at 3.38pm local time.

Wood (16no) was awarded man of the match, presumably for his seven wickets, but hopefully also for his eight-ball 24, which changed the tone of the game on the second afternoon.

The home side survived the nervous session after lunch, at one point finding themselves six down and 80 from victory, but young Yorkshireman Harry Brook batted brilliantly in front of a crowd delighted by his determination.

The 24-year-old is on course to write his name in history as one of England’s and the game’s greats should he continue on the path he has set in the first 12 months or so.

He was on course for an extraordinary moment had he survived to the end, but with a little more than 20 runs needed he played a poor shot to become Mitchell Starc’s fifth victim.

Brook was on 75 when he top edged a pull shot that flew high to mid off, Starc and Pat Cummins collided under the ball but the captain managed to hold on to the catch.

England still needed 21 and Australia three to win as Brook was replaced by Wood.

It is fair to say there were a few nerves about, although they were eased somewhat by the bowler hoiking Cummins for six and then giving himself room to drive Starc through the covers.

Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins combine awkwardly to dismiss Harry Brook. Picture: AFP

Starc’s 5-78 were fine reward for a bowler who has worked hard on his skills and was left out of the first Test. He has developed a wobble seam delivery which proved effective in the dismissals of Ben Duckett (23) and Moeen Ali (5).

Brook was awarded the freedom of Bradford the town in West Yorkshire in May which had previously granted the honour to Jonny Bairstow.

They were already pretty impressed by his efforts in his first year as a Test player but when he reached his half century at Headingley on Sunday moves may have already been afoot to grant him higher honours.

Life is moving fast for the local lad. The critical innings included his 1000th Test run from the 1058th delivery he has faced. No one has ever got there so fast.

Brook’s innings on Sunday was relatively subdued, but as assured as any he faced.

He held his nerve as senior partners came and went.

England pushed Moeen up to first drop presumably to protect Brook, who had looked out of place when elevated there in the first innings.

The middle order batter held his nerve as Joe Root (21), Ben Stokes (13) and Bairstow (5) fell around the lunch break.

With Australia sniffing victory he dug in with Woakes, took the singles on offer and steered the side toward the target.

Bairstow was a dejected figure in the dressing room after being bowled for the fifth time in his career by Starc. He has had a poor series, contributing little with the bat aside from a 78 in the first innings at Edgbaston and making constant, critical errors behind the stumps.

Stokes was cut down by a terrible blow to his man bits and even the hardest of heart must have some sympathy for the England skipper, who is putting his body through the wringer to play this series. He began his innings with a resounding boundary from the first delivery he faced. The captain could not replicate the heroics of his first innings 80, however and was strangled down the leg side.

Root was similarly dismissed from the same bowler, Starc, who was the pick of the Australian bowlers on the day.