Australia tightened their grip on the third Ashes Test on Friday as Travis Head produced another commanding innings to leave the hosts in a dominant position at the end of day three in Adelaide.
Head finished unbeaten on 142, steering Australia to 271 for four in their second innings and stretching their overall lead to a daunting 356 runs. With six wickets still in hand and a 2–0 series advantage, Australia are well placed to retain the Ashes with two matches remaining.
England began the day with a glimmer of hope after a spirited lower-order resistance. Captain Ben Stokes led from the front with an aggressive 83, sharing a vital 106-run partnership for the ninth wicket with Jofra Archer, who struck a defiant 51. The stand briefly cut Australia’s advantage to 85 runs before England were eventually dismissed for 213, well short of Australia’s first-innings total of 371.
Any momentum England gained was quickly blunted once Australia returned to the crease. Although Brydon Carse removed opener Jake Weatherald early and Josh Tongue dismissed Marnus Labuschagne shortly after lunch, the hosts soon reasserted control on a surface still offering plenty to batters.
Head once again proved England’s chief tormentor, compiling his 11th Test century — and his fourth against England — with a fluent display that underscored his fondness for Adelaide. He was well supported by Usman Khawaja, who made 40, and wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who followed up his first-innings century with a composed unbeaten 52.
England picked up late wickets through Will Jacks and Tongue, but the damage had already been done. Head and Carey added an unbroken 122-run partnership to close out the day, pushing Australia’s lead beyond 350 and leaving England facing an uphill task.
Concerns remain for England over the fitness of Stokes, who has yet to bowl in Australia’s second innings after spending long hours batting in searing heat earlier in the match.
With Head in imperious form and Australia firmly on top, England will need something extraordinary over the final two days to keep the Test — and the series — alive.
