Travis Head’s commanding century on home soil at Adelaide Oval has left England facing a likely Ashes series defeat in just 10 days of play. Australia extended their dominance on day three, reaching 271-4 in their second innings to lead by 356 runs overall.
Head’s innings, his fourth straight Test hundred at the venue, snuffed out any lingering England hopes after a brief morning fightback. If Australia complete the win on day four, it would mark the fastest Ashes series decider in over a century, since 1921.
Head’s Ton Seals Control for Australia
Head was dropped on 99 by Harry Brook and endured eight tense balls on 99 before smashing Joe Root for four to bring up his century, sparking wild celebrations from the home crowd. He added 84 with Usman Khawaja (40) and 122* with Alex Carey (52*), who is eyeing a second hundred of the match.
England’s attack struggled to contain Head, who navigated a lively new-ball spell from Brydon Carse and exploited the absence of Ben Stokes from the bowling. Various field settings, including packing the off side, failed to stem the flow.
The drop by Brook off Jofra Archer was costly, as Head cashed in on a pitch offering little assistance to bowlers.
Stokes and Archer’s Stand Offers Brief Resistance
England’s ninth-wicket pair of Stokes (83) and Archer (51) added 106 runs in the morning, the highest by an England ninth-wicket in Australia since 1924. Stokes’ 50 came from 159 balls — his slowest in Tests — while Archer notched his maiden Test fifty.
Stokes was run out by Mitchell Starc through the gate, leaving him visibly frustrated. Archer fell to Scott Boland, ending the innings at 286, trailing by 85 on first innings.
This partnership provided the only resistance on a day otherwise dominated by Australia, who ground England down under minimal pressure.
England’s Dire Position and Concerns Ahead
Realistically, England’s fate was sealed by their batting on day two. A Stokes miracle was needed, but even his and Archer’s efforts fell short against superior Australian batting.
Questions loom over Stokes’ fitness, as he has yet to bowl in 66 overs of Australia’s second innings and appeared in discomfort in the field.
England now need their highest successful chase at Adelaide to stay alive — a tall order against this Australian side.
