Australia Close In on Ashes Glory After Day 3
Adelaide, December 19, 2025 – Australia have all but secured the Ashes urn, closing Day 3 at 271/4 in their second innings for a massive 356-run lead over England. Hometown hero Travis Head (142*) and Alex Carey (52*) remained unbeaten in a commanding unbroken 122-run partnership, leaving England staring at a near-impossible task to avoid a 3-0 series deficit.
Stumps Scores
- Australia: 371 & 271/4 (Head 142*, Carey 52*)
- England: 286 all out
- Australia lead by 356 runs
Day 3 Summary
England started the day at 213/8, trailing by 158 runs. Ben Stokes (83) and Jofra Archer (51) frustrated Australia with a gritty 106-run ninth-wicket stand – the highest for England in an Ashes Test in Australia since 1925. Archer reached his maiden Test fifty before falling to Scott Boland, while Mitchell Starc bowled Stokes with a sharp inswinger that crashed into off-stump.
Australia's second innings began unsteadily, with Jake Weatherald lbw to Brydon Carse (pitching outside leg, no review taken), followed by dismissals for Cameron Green (7), Usman Khawaja, and Marnus Labuschagne (13). However, Travis Head – dropped on 99 by Harry Brook – capitalized spectacularly, reaching his fourth consecutive Test century at Adelaide Oval. His unbeaten 142 came off 196 balls, blending patience and aggression.
Alex Carey, building on his first-innings hundred, added a composed fifty in an unbroken stand that accelerated in the final session. England's attack lacked bite, with overuse of short-pitched bowling and limited options (Stokes bowled sparingly) allowing Australia to dominate. A record crowd of 53,696 – the third-highest for a Test day at Adelaide Oval – cheered the local duo.
Key Performances
- Travis Head: 142* – Fourth straight ton at Adelaide; dropped on 99 but unstoppable thereafter.
- Alex Carey: 52* – Back-to-back fifties in the match; first wicketkeeper with century and fifty in same Ashes Test.
- Ben Stokes: 83 – Defiant resistance but fell short of a ton.
- Jofra Archer: 51 – Maiden Test fifty; vital lower-order fight.
Australia are heavy favorites to seal victory and retain the Ashes on Day 4. England need a miracle to chase or survive, with their campaign on the brink.
