Adelaide, December 19, 2025: Another commanding innings by Australian opener Travis Head at his home ground propelled Australia closer to retaining the Ashes as the hosts tightened their grip on the third Test against England at the Adelaide Oval on Friday.
By stumps on day three, Australia had reached 271 for four in their second innings, extending their overall lead to a daunting 356 runs. Having already lost the first two matches of the five-Test series, England now find themselves under severe pressure, with Australia firmly in control and closing in on an unassailable series lead.
Head remained unbeaten on 142, registering his fourth Test century in as many matches at Adelaide and his fourth consecutive hundred overall. The knock, his 11th Test century, came off 146 deliveries and once again underlined his status as England’s tormentor-in-chief in this series. Head survived a nervous moment on 99 when Harry Brook dropped a chance, but he made England pay by converting it into another substantial innings.
He found valuable support from wicketkeeper Alex Carey, whose unbeaten 52 ensured Australia maintained momentum in the final session after England had briefly sensed an opening with a couple of wickets in the middle session.
Australia’s innings had begun with a minor setback when opener Jake Weatherald was given lbw for one, a decision later shown to be marginal with the ball pitching just outside leg stump. Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed for 13, edging Josh Tongue to slip, while Usman Khawaja, who had scored 82 in the first innings after coming in for the injured Steve Smith, added a useful 40 before departing. Cameron Green fell cheaply, but the Head–Carey partnership steadied the innings and further deflated the visitors.
England’s problems were compounded by their modest first-innings total of 286, built largely around a fighting 83 from captain Ben Stokes, in response to Australia’s 371. With the highest successful fourth-innings chase at Adelaide being 316, England face a formidable task to stay alive in the match.
Buoyed by Head’s remarkable consistency and their disciplined bowling attack, Australia are well placed to push for victory and secure an early Ashes triumph.
