Ashes on the brink as Travis Head tightens Australia’s hold in Adelaide

England are staring down the prospect of one of the fastest Ashes defeats in more than a century, with the Ashes series on the brink after Travis Head’s commanding century tightened Australia’s grip on the third Test at Adelaide Oval.

By the close of play on day three, Australia had reached 271 for four in their second innings, extending their overall lead to 356 runs. England now face the grim reality of either an unprecedented chase on this ground or another heavy defeat that would hand Australia the urn inside ten days.

Head’s hundred, completed amid a roar from his home crowd, extinguished what little hope England had managed to rekindle earlier in the day. Dropped on 99 by Harry Brook, the left-hander endured eight tense balls before driving Joe Root straight down the ground for four, a release that felt as decisive as it was loud.

For a brief spell in the morning, England had threatened to shift the mood. Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer, batting with clarity and defiance, added 106 for the ninth wicket. It was England’s highest stand for that pair in Australia for a century, lifting the tourists from the depths and giving substance to the idea that resistance, if not recovery, was possible.

Stokes made 83, grinding his way through 159 balls, while Archer produced his maiden Test half-century with a fluent 51. England eventually closed their first innings on 286, still 85 runs adrift but at least armed with a sliver of opportunity.

That hope did not last long.

Australia’s response was calm and ruthless. Early wickets briefly kept England interested, yet at 149 for four, Head again took control. With Ben Stokes unable to bowl and England’s attack lacking penetration, Australia batted without urgency, knowing time and conditions were firmly on their side.

England shuffled their fields, at one point stacking the off side with seven men. It made little difference. Head continued to find gaps, cutting and driving with increasing assurance as he added 84 with Usman Khawaja, who made a measured 40 to further strengthen his case for selection beyond this Test.

The significance of Head’s innings stretched beyond the scorebook. Promoted to open earlier in the series, his influence has shaped the contest. This was his fourth consecutive Test century at Adelaide Oval, and his 11th overall, reinforcing his reputation as England’s most persistent problem in Australian conditions.

Alex Carey, unbeaten on 52, was fittingly at the other end when Head reached three figures. Their partnership stood at 122 by stumps, leaving Australia poised to push the lead further on the fourth morning.

For England, the concern extends beyond the scoreboard. Stokes has yet to bowl in Australia’s second innings and was visibly uncomfortable at times in the field, raising questions about how much more his body can absorb in a series already slipping away.

“We’ll keep fighting,” Stokes insisted afterwards, his tone defiant but realistic. “We’ve been under pressure before, and we’ll prepare as best we can for whatever comes next.”

History offers little comfort. Only once has a higher successful run chase been completed at Adelaide, and England would need to rewrite the record books simply to stay alive. If defeat follows on Saturday, the Ashes will have been settled faster than at any point since 1921.

Beyond this match, uncomfortable conversations loom. Players such as Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope are under mounting scrutiny, while England’s much-vaunted attacking philosophy is being subjected to a prolonged and unforgiving examination.

Australia, by contrast, look settled, disciplined and relentless. With Travis Head once again at the centre of it all, the Ashes appear to be slipping beyond England’s grasp.

For background on records and historic run chases at the ground, the official history of Test cricket at Adelaide Oval provides useful context, available via the Adelaide Oval Test match archive.

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[Image Credit | James Elsby via AP News]

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