Opener Travis Head’s unbeaten 142, along with Alex Carey’s 52 not out, helped Australia build a commanding lead and push England to the brink of losing the Ashes series, as the hosts reached 271/4 at stumps on Day 3 of the third Test at the Adelaide Oval on Friday, leading by 356 runs.
Head, who was dropped by Harry Brook on 99, scored his second century of the series and the 11th of his Test career. Overall, it was his fourth hundred against England.
England enjoyed a strong first session, with skipper Ben Stokes leading from the front by adding 106 runs for the ninth wicket with Jofra Archer (51). The visitors briefly threatened a fightback on the third morning, adding 73 runs to their overnight score of 213/8 to reduce the deficit to 85 before being bowled out for 286.
Brydon Carse (1-48) then struck early, trapping Jake Weatherald (1) lbw to leave Australia at 17/1 in 5.0 overs at lunch in their second innings. After lunch, Josh Tongue (2-59) removed Marnus Labuschagne (13) cheaply to give England further hope.
However, England were unable to sustain pressure over the next two sessions. The hosts lost just one wicket in the post-lunch session and went to tea at 119/2. Usman Khawaja continued his patient approach from the first innings, building an 86-run partnership with Head.
England found a brief opening after tea when Will Jacks (1-107) dismissed Khawaja (40), followed by Tongue removing Cameron Green (7) in the next over. By then, however, Australia’s lead had already swelled close to 300.
Alex Carey then joined Head and maintained his fine form from the first innings, scoring a fluent fifty as the pair stitched together an unbeaten 122-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Brief scores:
Australia 371 and 271/4 in 66 overs (Travis Head 142 not out, Alex Carey 52 not out; Josh Tongue 2-59) lead England 286 (Ben Stokes 83, Jofra Archer 51; Scott Boland 3-45, Pat Cummins 3-69) by 356 runs.
-IANS
