Need to know
England are staring down the barrel of another Ashes series defeat after Travis Head and Australia piled on the runs in Adelaide
09:42, 19 Dec 2025
England are on the verge of another crushing defeat in the Ashes(Image: )
What you need to know about day three of the Third Ashes Test as Australia pile on the runs against England
- Australia are on the brink of securing an unassailable 3-0 lead in the Ashes series after another dominant performance on day three in Adelaide. The home side ended the day with a massive 356-run lead, leaving England facing a nearly impossible task to save the match and the series.
- Travis Head was the star of the day, scoring an unbeaten 142 to pile further misery on the struggling English team. This was Head's second century of the series, remarkably achieved after he originally stepped in as an emergency opening batter.
- Head’s performance was particularly significant as it took place at his home ground, where he has now scored four centuries in his last four appearances. Despite being dropped on 99 by Harry Brook, he remained dominant throughout his innings, hitting 13 fours and two sixes.
- England’s captain, Ben Stokes, displayed great resilience by batting for over five hours to score a dogged 83 runs. However, his physical condition is a major concern as he suffered from cramp and dehydration in the extreme 40-degree heat.
- Jofra Archer provided a rare moment of positivity for England by scoring his first-ever Test half-century in a battling 106-run partnership with Stokes. This stand helped reduce Australia's first-innings lead to 85, briefly giving England a glimmer of hope before the game slipped away.
- England are now at risk of losing the entire five-match series in record time, having struggled to compete for more than 10 days across the first three Tests. If they lose in Adelaide, it would be a faster series defeat than the 11 days managed by the 2002-03 team.
- The English bowling attack appeared flat and under immense strain, especially as senior players like Stokes were unable to bowl a single over in the second innings. Spin bowler Will Jacks struggled significantly, conceding 107 runs from his 19 overs as the Australian batters took control.
- Australia’s second innings was further bolstered by a 122-run partnership between Head and wicketkeeper Alex Carey. This pairing made "easy pickings" of the tired English bowlers during the final hour of play, firmly placing the result of the match beyond doubt.
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