Ben Stokes leads England to thrilling win in third Ashes Test
Victory saw England level the five-Test series at 1-1
Leeds: Ben Stokes hit a stunning unbeaten century as England defeated Australia by one wicket to win an epic third Test at Headingley on Sunday and keep the Ashes alive.
England, bowled out for just 67 in their first innings, needed 73 more runs to reach a victory target of 359 when last man, the bespectacled Jack Leach, came into bat on the fourth day.
But Leach held firm before Stokes, the batting hero of England's World Cup final triumph, hit the winning runs by flaying paceman Pat Cummins for a four that saw the all-rounder finish on 135 not out.
This was England's highest successful fourth-innings chase and the tenth highest in Test history.
A remarkable victory, which arguably surpassed their 1981 Ashes Test triumph at Headingley when they beat Australia after following-on - saw England level the five-match series at 1-1.
Brief scores
Australia 1st innings 179 (M Labuschagne 74, D Warner 61; J Archer 6-45)
England 1st innings 67 (J Hazlewood 5-30, P Cummins 3-23)
Australia 2nd innings 246 (M Labuschagne 80; B Stokes 3-56)
England 2nd innings 362-9 (B Stokes 135 no, J Root 77, J Denly 50; J Hazlewood 4-85)
Ben Stokes heroics: How Twitter saw it
Leeds: How Twitter reacted to Ben Stokes's heroics in the third Ashes Test and England's nail-biting one-wicket victory over Australia:
"I have no sister but if I did I'd want her to marry Ben Stokes."
- Former England spinner Graeme Swann.
"ARISE SIR BEN STOKES."
- England's Barmy Army supporters group.
"I've seen some remarkable cricket moments in my life but that is the best I've seen in over 50 years. @benstokes38 saved the Ashes and gave a magical inspirational innings. Even better than his World Cup performance."
- Former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott.
"Hi, my name is Ben, Ben Stokes!"
- Ex England batsman Kevin Pietersen.
"That was special from Ben Stokes. Single handedly winning the test match. Great viewing."
- Former India batting star Virender Sehwag.
"One of the best innings of test match cricket you will see, well played @benstokes38. What a game, what a test match.#ashesaliveandkicking. Both teams so close together. Go the Aussies for the next test."
- Ex-Australian player and coach Darren Lehmann.
"The greatest ever innings by an Englishman."
- Former England skipper Alastair Cook.
"What an innings... What a man... @benstokes38 that was beyond comprehension. #Respect #Greatness."
- English golfer Ian Poulter.
"You cannot do that Ben Stokes ....."
- Ex-England captain Nasser Hussain.