Daijiworld Media Network - Adelaide

Adelaide, Dec 19: Travis Head delivered a commanding unbeaten 142 to put Australia firmly in control of the third Test and on the verge of retaining the Ashes, as the hosts stretched their lead to a daunting 356 runs against England at stumps on Day 3 at the Adelaide Oval.

Head, who was reprieved on 99 after being dropped by Harry Brook, made England pay heavily for the lapse. The left-hander brought up his second century of the series and the 11th of his Test career, also marking his fourth hundred against England. He found strong support from Alex Carey, whose unbeaten 52 ensured Australia finished the day on 271 for 4, tightening their grip on the match.

Earlier in the day, England showed brief resistance through their lower order. Captain Ben Stokes led from the front with a fighting 83, while Jofra Archer chipped in with a fluent 51 as the pair added 106 runs for the ninth wicket. Their stand helped England add 73 runs to their overnight total of 213 for 8, reducing the deficit to 85 before the innings ended at 286.

Australia’s second innings began shakily when Brydon Carse struck early, trapping Jake Weatherald lbw for 1 to leave the hosts at 17 for 1 just before lunch. England’s hopes flickered again after the break when Josh Tongue dismissed Marnus Labuschagne cheaply, but sustained pressure proved elusive.

Head and Usman Khawaja then took control, batting with composure and authority. Khawaja continued his patient approach from the first innings, combining with Head in an 86-run partnership that steadied Australia. By tea, the hosts had moved to 119 for 2, with the match steadily slipping away from England.

A brief opening emerged after the interval when Will Jacks removed Khawaja for 40 and Tongue sent Cameron Green back for 7 in quick succession. However, by then Australia’s lead was already approaching 300, leaving England with little margin for error.

Any remaining resistance was extinguished when Carey joined Head at the crease. Carrying forward his fine first-innings form, the wicketkeeper-batter reached a well-compiled fifty as the duo put together an unbroken 122-run stand for the fifth wicket, ensuring Australia closed the day in a position of overwhelming dominance.

With England facing a massive fourth-innings challenge on a wearing surface, Australia are now poised to seal the Test and take an unassailable lead in the Ashes series.

Brief scores:

Australia 371 and 271/4 in 66 overs (Travis Head 142*; Alex Carey 52*; Josh Tongue 2-59)
England 286 (Ben Stokes 83, Jofra Archer 51; Scott Boland 3-45, Pat Cummins 3-69)
Australia lead by 356 runs