The Ashes: Head century puts England on the brink of third Test defeat

Travis Head proved to be England's nemesis once again as he scored his second century of the Ashes to propel Australia into a 356-run lead in the third Test in Adelaide.

Head's unbeaten 142 from 196 balls

had Australia at 271-4 at stumps, having bowled out England for 286 despite Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer's heroics in their second innings.

Alex Carey finished with Head at the crease after scoring his 13th Test half century, putting Australia in a commanding position to retain the Ashes on home soil.

After starting the third day 158 runs behind Australia after another batting collapse, Stokes (83) and Archer (51) led from the front to offer hopes of an improbable turnaround.

The pair put on a 106-run stand for the ninth wicket before Stokes was dismissed by Mitchell Starc, with Archer following soon after to leave England 85 runs adrift of Australia.

Brydon Carse increased the excitement of a comeback for the tourists when he trapped Jake Weatherald (one) lbw in the second over, before Marnus Labuschagne was removed after lunch by Josh Tongue (2-59).

However, Head remained composed and plundered his 11th Test century, while also receiving useful support from Usman Khawaja (40) and Carey (51 not out).

But before reaching his hundred, Head was dropped by Harry Brook on 99, and he made the most of that reprieve and put together a 122-run partnership with Carey.

Will Jacks (1-107) claimed the wicket of Khawaja, with Tongue adding Cameron Green (seven) in the very next over, but England ended the day well and truly up against it.

The end of play scorecard on Day 3 in Adelaide. pic.twitter.com/3wdAY5nYdB

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 19, 2025

Data Debrief: Home hope Head delivers in Adelaide again

Head has often thrived in Test cricket in his home town of Adelaide, with his latest display here bringing up his fourth ton in the format at the venue. Only Michael Clarke (seven) and Ricky Ponting (six) have managed more centuries here than the 31-year-old.

Indeed, across eight Tests and 10 innings in Adelaide, Head has plundered 786 runs at an average of 87.33. Among batters with at least 550 runs at the venue, only Don Bradman (107.77) and Clarke (94.26) boast higher averages than Head.

For England, meanwhile, their chances of becoming only the second team to overturn a 2-0 deficit to win an Ashes series since Australia in 1936-37 were dealt a serious blow, and it could get even worse.

If England's third loss in as many Tests is completed on Saturday, it would mean the Ashes have been decided in just 10 days of cricket. Not since 1921, when Australia needed only eight days of play to win in England, has the destination of the urn been settled so swiftly.