Joe Root scored a fantastic 91 as England took firm control at the end of Day 3 of the fifth test against Australia at Oval on Saturday.
England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett got their side off to a solid start. The duo added 79 runs for the opening wicket before the former edged a full delivery from Mitchell Starc to wicket keeper Alex Carey for 42.
Skipper Ben Stokes who promoted himself at No 3 added 61 runs for the second wicket alongside Zak Crawley. Stokes got a reprieve on 14, when Starc misjudged the catch at fine leg off Hazlewood.
The partnership was broken finally when Crawley edged a wide delivery from Cummins to Steve Smith at second slip for a fine 73.
England all rounder Stokes featured in yet another crucial 73 run stand for the third wicket alongside Joe Root before the former holed out to Cummins at mid on off Todd Murphy for 42.
Jos Hazlewood then struck by dismissing Harry Brook for 7. The pair of Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow added a quickfire 110 run stand for the fifth wicket before the former (91) was cleaned up through the gate by Murphy.
Bairstow also made a fantastic 78 before perishing to Starc. The Australian left arm pacer struck again by dismissing Woakes (1) caught at mid off by Usman Khawaja.
At the end of Day 3, Stuart Broad and James Anderson were unbeaten at the crease as the hosts reached 389/9, with an overall lead of 377.
Stumps at the end of Day 3
England 283 and 389 for 9 (Root 91, Bairstow 78, Crawley 73, Starc 4-94, Murphy 3-110) lead Australia 295 by 377 runs