Inside the horror 15 minutes for Australia at Headingley that gifted England an Ashes reprieve

The microscope will be applied to the Headingley Test cricket disaster, but Australian coaches and selectors won’t just be looking at the final day’s failure.

Australia was in the box seat to wrap up the Ashes in three Tests when England skipper Ben Stokes and the last recognised batsman, Jonny Bairstow, were sent packing with the hosts still requiring 80 runs for victory.

However the tourists could only take one more wicket as the tail wagged and England fought their way back into the series.

While questions will be asked of the Aussie bowlers, the decision to rest Josh Hazlewood, the late injection of spinner Todd Murphy and the form of Scott Boland, the truth is the match was lost three days earlier.

Australia, with a commanding lead of 94 runs, was batting under clear skies on a pitch that both teams agreed was not offering much turn. 

Bowlers Mark Wood and Chris Woakes defied the Aussie bowlers on day five for a famous England win to keep The Ashes series alive

Labuschagne was the world’s No.1 Test batsman coming into the Ashes series but has been unable to produce consistent results

The Aussie bowlers were unable to get the job done on the final day at Headingley, but the top order batsmen could have set them a better target 

Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja were displaying control at the crease, with the formidable trio of Smith, Travis Head, and Mitch Marsh yet to bat. 

England, on the other hand, faced challenges in their bowling department. Ben Stokes was unable to bowl, Ollie Robinson was struggling with back spasms and Stuart Broad was playing his third consecutive Test.

Moeen Ali had issues with his spinning finger, Mark Wood was prone to injuries and Chris Woakes was making his return to Test cricket after a year-long absence.

On top of that, England had less than a day’s rest before bowling again. 

All the ingredients were there for Australia to go back and punish England, batting them out of the match. 

However in the space of 15 seconds, it all flipped on its head.

Ali turned out to be the unlikely hero for England when he enticed Labuschagne and Smith into loose shots that turned the Ashes on its head

Veteran Ali, only recalled because of an injury to Jack Leach, had an open wound on his spinning finger and was called on to bowl on a wicket that was not taking turn.

The Australians should have feasted, instead, Labuschagne and Smith threw their wickets away in glorious fashion, gifting Ali his 199th and 200th Test wickets.

Fans were quick to lash Labuschagne, who is having a lean run in England. 

‘Glad to see it’s not just us throwing wickets away when set,’ an English supporter posted.

‘Time for Marnus to pull his head in and start playing for the team,’ an Aussie fan added.

‘His position should be in doubt just as much as Warner’s,’ suggested another supported.

When Smith’s wicket fell, cricket fans began to question the Australian’s credentials and suggested the 2-0 series lead was only because of  England’s failed ‘Bazball’ tactics at Edgbaston and Lord’s.

Smith’s loose shot in the second innings was so bad that it has been compared to the infamous Shannon Gabriel heave that cost the West Indies victory in 2017

Smith’s dismissal was even compared to the infamous heave by West Indian Shannon Gabriel against Pakistan, regarded as the worst cricket shot in the history of Test cricket. 

‘I can’t be the only one on here who doesn’t rate this Australian side and feel they’ve been extremely lucky to come up against an England side displaying ‘Kamikaze’ tactics! A captain with better tactics would be ahead in this series,’ one fan fumed

‘Is this the Ashes, or a competition for the worst shot ever played? What in the name of Shannon Gabriel is going on here?’ asked another.

‘He [Labuschagne] and Smith have been nominated for the Gatting-Gabriel Worst Shot of the Year award,’ posted another.

Australia still hold a 2-1 lead heading into the fourth Test, but questions will be asked of the top order.

While Khawaja has been holding things together, the indifferent form of Warner and Labuschagne and the loose shots at crucial moments from Smith will come under review.

The Aussies have a 10 day break to make adjustments before the fourth Test at Old Trafford.