Travis Head produced a masterful innings, his fourth century in as many Tests at Adelaide Oval, guiding Australia to a commanding 356-run lead over England on day three of the third Ashes Test and edging his side closer to retaining the run. At stumps, Australia were 271-4, with Head unbeaten on 142 and Alex Carey steady on 52, effectively putting the five-match series beyond England’s reach.
England, having suffered heavy defeats in Perth and Brisbane, face an uphill battle, with the highest successful run chase at the Adelaide Oval standing at 316, set by Australia in 1902.
Head’s 11th Test century came off 146 balls in a composed display, though he was fortunate to survive a drop on 99 by Harry Brook. His remarkable run of form at home includes centuries of 140 against India, and 119 and 175 against the West Indies in previous matches.
Australia faced an early scare before lunch when Bryson Carse trapped Jake Weatherald lbw for one, despite replays showing the ball pitched outside leg stump. Marnus Labuschagne fell for 13 edging Josh Tongue to slip, and Usman Khawaja, called in for the injured Steve Smith, fell for 40 to spin from Will Jacks. Cameron Green soon followed for seven. Head finally reached his century with a boundary off Joe Root, celebrating by removing his helmet, kissing the turf, and pumping his fists. His innings, though more measured than his 69-ball blitz in Perth, was critical in cementing Australia’s dominance, with Carey providing solid support and Stokes absent from the bowling attack after his own exploits with the bat.
Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer offered England a brief lifeline with a gritty 106-run ninth-wicket partnership. Resuming at 213-8 in sweltering 40-degree heat, Stokes brought up his slowest-ever Test fifty off 159 balls, while Archer supported with his maiden half-century of 51. Stokes eventually fell to Mitchell Starc, and Archer was caught by Labuschagne off Scott Boland.
Starc and Pat Cummins shared seven wickets between them, with Boland claiming three.England’s struggles began early in their innings with the top order faltering under the relentless Australian attack. Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Ollie Pope were all dismissed in a 15-ball blitz, leaving only Harry Brook to show some resistance with 45.
The Aussies, led by Head, Starc, and Cummins, maintained relentless pressure throughout.Australia now stand on the verge of retaining the Ashes, with Head’s scintillating form at Adelaide Oval once again proving decisive.
