Any lingering hope England carried into day three of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide quickly faded as Travis Head delivered another punishing reminder of Australia’s dominance, crafting a majestic hometown century to tighten the hosts’ grip on the series.
By stumps, Australia had surged to 271 for four, extending their lead to a daunting 356 runs and leaving England facing the prospect of a record-breaking chase simply to stay alive. A crowd of more than 53,000 departed Adelaide Oval in buoyant mood, having witnessed Head enhance his growing cult status with an unbeaten 142 from 196 balls.
The anticipation around his milestone was palpable. As Head inched closer to three figures, the ground buzzed with expectation. A brief moment of drama followed when he sliced Jofra Archer low to gully on 99, only for Harry Brook to spill the chance — another in a growing list of missed opportunities for England. Moments later, Head sealed his 11th Test hundred with a thunderous straight drive off Joe Root, sending a roar echoing around South Australia.
Kneeling to kiss the pitch in celebration of his fourth Test century at the venue, Head all but extinguished England’s Ashes aspirations. In truth, the damage may have been done earlier in the series, when his blistering century in Perth first rattled Ben Stokes’ side, but this innings felt particularly decisive.
England had shown some fight earlier in the day, with Stokes and Archer adding a spirited 106 for the ninth wicket. Their individual scores of 83 and 51 helped push England to 286 all out, but the innings ultimately reflected a broader uncertainty in approach. On a surface that might have rewarded positive intent, England instead opted for caution, a shift that seemed at odds with their Bazball identity.
The tactical compromises continued, notably with the selection of part-time spinner Will Jacks to bolster the batting. The move backfired as Jacks conceded 107 runs from 19 overs, struggling to apply pressure while Australia steadily built momentum.
Although England briefly found an opening before lunch, opportunities went begging. Archer was curiously underused in the afternoon, while Stokes, drained after his long vigil with the bat, could not provide sustained threat with the ball.
Josh Tongue did manage to remove Marnus Labuschagne, and a short burst after tea brought two quick wickets, reducing Australia to 149 for four. But any hint of a comeback was swiftly extinguished as Head and Alex Carey — the latter following up his first-innings century with an unbeaten 52 — combined in a punishing 122-run stand.
England arrived in Adelaide hoping conditions might offer a route back into the contest, perhaps even a shift in momentum. Instead, Head’s masterclass ensured Australia finished the day firmly in control, leaving the visitors with little more than survival on their minds and the Ashes slipping further from their grasp.
