Travis Head all but secured the Ashes retention for Australia with an unbeaten century on Day 3 of the third Test in Adelaide. The left-hander finished the day on 142 not out, guiding the hosts to 271 for 4 and extending their lead to a commanding 356 runs.
With the series poised at 2-0, England now faces the prospect of a record chase to keep the urn alive, a scenario that seemed inevitable as Head and fellow South Australian Alex Carey, 52 not out plundered an unbroken 122-run stand in the evening session, delighting the 53,700-strong crowd.
Earlier in the day, England offered a brief flicker of resistance. Resuming at 213 for 8, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer extended their ninth-wicket partnership to 106 runs; the highest for England in Australia since 1924. Stokes, visibly exhausted and battling physical limitations, compiled 83 off 159 balls, marking the slowest half-century of his career, while Archer notched his maiden Test fifty of 51.
The resistance was eventually broken by Mitchell Starc, who jagged the new ball back to castle Stokes, followed quickly by Archer’s dismissal to Scott Boland, ending England’s innings at 286, trailing by 85 runs.
England’s hopes of capitalizing on a decent first session evaporated quickly in the field. Although Brydon Carse removed Jake Weatherald lbw before lunch, which would have been overturned on review, but the tourists lacked control. Stokes, drained from his batting vigil, did not bowl a single over, leaving the workload to a struggling attack.
Part-time spinner Will Jacks proved expensive, leaking runs as he finished the day with match figures of 3 for 212. Josh Tongue provided brief breakthroughs by removing Marnus Labuschagne (17) and Cameron Green (7), but England failed to apply sustained pressure.
Head’s innings was a masterclass in aggressive batting on his home turf, marking his fourth consecutive Test century at the Adelaide Oval. He accelerated after tea, punishing England’s short-ball ploys and spin. The innings wasn’t without drama; on 99, he sliced a delivery from Archer to gully, where Harry Brook spilled the chance. Head didn't waste the reprieve, driving Joe Root down the ground moments later to seal his 11th Test hundred.
The day ended with the home crowd in raptures and England staring at the fast-approaching reality of a series defeat in just 10 days of cricket; a speed not seen since 1921. "He’s worn out as you can imagine," England batting coach Marcus Trescothick noted regarding Stokes, a sentiment that applied to the entire visiting side.