Ashes 2025: Australia Tighten Grip as Travis Head Dominates Day Three of the Third Test
Australia moved to the brink of another commanding Ashes victory on Day Three of the third Test, as a brilliant century from Travis Head and a growing sense of inevitability left England staring at defeat. By stumps at the Adelaide Oval, Australia had reached 271 for 4 in their second innings, extending their overall lead to 356 runs and placing the match—and potentially the series—firmly in their grasp.
The day belonged unmistakably to Australia, but it was shaped by two distinct narratives: England’s brief but valiant lower-order resistance in the morning session, followed by an afternoon and evening dominated by Australia’s aggressive, confident batting. Together, they produced a day that underlined the gulf between the two sides in this series.
England’s Morning Resistance Offers Brief Hope
England resumed Day Three on 213 for 8, already trailing Australia’s first-innings total of 371 by a significant margin. With the pitch still good for batting but beginning to show subtle signs of wear, England’s priority was simple: reduce the deficit as much as possible and avoid handing Australia a psychologically crushing advantage.
For a time, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer gave England genuine hope.
Stokes, leading from the front as captain, played with controlled aggression, combining trademark grit with intelligent shot selection. Archer, meanwhile, surprised many with a calm and composed approach, showing patience and technique alongside his natural power. The pair put together a defiant ninth-wicket partnership worth over 100 runs, frustrating the Australian bowlers and briefly shifting momentum.
Stokes’ innings, in particular, was a reminder of his stature in the game. He rotated the strike well, punished anything loose, and absorbed pressure when Australia tightened their lines. Archer complemented him superbly, driving confidently and refusing to be rushed.
For a short while, the atmosphere at Adelaide Oval reflected England’s revival. Australia’s bowlers searched for breakthroughs, the crowd grew quieter, and England began to believe they could push the deficit below 60 or even 50 runs.
That belief, however, proved short-lived.
Australia Close the Door
Australia eventually broke the partnership, and once the breakthrough came, the end was swift. England were dismissed for 286, leaving them 85 runs behind after the first innings.
While the Stokes-Archer stand was admirable, it also underlined a recurring issue for England throughout the series: too much reliance on individual heroics, and not enough consistent contributions from the top order. By the time Australia began their second innings, England already felt they were chasing the game.
Australia’s Second Innings: Calm, Control, and Class
Australia began their second innings with clarity and confidence. With a lead already established, there was no need for recklessness. Instead, the hosts focused on building partnerships, wearing down England’s bowlers, and gradually turning pressure into dominance.
The top order laid a solid foundation, but the defining phase of the innings came once Travis Head settled at the crease.
Travis Head: Adelaide Oval’s Master
Few players have a relationship with a ground quite like Travis Head has with the Adelaide Oval, and Day Three was yet another chapter in that story. From the moment he found his rhythm, Head looked in complete control, blending fluent strokeplay with sharp cricketing awareness.
His innings was not just about power—though there was plenty of that—but about timing, placement, and intent. Head punished England’s bowlers whenever they missed their lengths, particularly through the off side, and rotated the strike efficiently to keep the scoreboard moving.
Reaching his century was a moment of inevitability rather than surprise. The milestone came with a mixture of applause and resignation from England supporters, who had seen this script unfold too many times in the series already.
By stumps, Head stood unbeaten on 142, having once again delivered on the big stage. His innings didn’t merely add runs; it drained belief from the opposition.
Alex Carey Provides Perfect Support
While Head commanded headlines, Alex Carey played a crucial supporting role. Calm, composed, and tactically astute, Carey ensured Australia didn’t lose momentum when England attempted to slow the game down.
Carey’s unbeaten half-century was built on smart decision-making rather than brute force. He rotated the strike, punished poor deliveries, and allowed Head to play freely at the other end. Together, the pair stitched an unbroken partnership that effectively ended any realistic hope England had of turning the match around.
Their stand exemplified Australia’s depth and balance—two qualities England have struggled to match throughout the series.
England’s Bowling Struggles Continue
England’s bowlers worked hard, but once again lacked consistency. There were moments of discipline, but they were too often followed by loose deliveries that allowed Australia to release pressure.
The absence of sustained control was particularly damaging against a batter like Head, who thrives on even the slightest error. England rotated their bowlers frequently, searching for inspiration, but failed to create the sustained pressure required to force mistakes.
Fatigue also appeared to be a factor. The long hours in the field, combined with the emotional energy spent in the morning fightback, seemed to sap England’s intensity as the day wore on.
The Psychological Battle: Australia Well Ahead
By the close of play, the numbers told a grim story for England:
- Australia: 271/4 (second innings)
- Overall lead: 356 runs
- Two set batters at the crease
Beyond the statistics, the psychological picture was even more daunting. Australia looked relaxed, confident, and fully in control. England, by contrast, appeared resigned to damage limitation rather than genuine belief.
The body language of both sides reflected the broader trend of the series: Australia dictating terms, England reacting.
Series Context: Ashes Slipping Away
Coming into the third Test, England were already under pressure after defeats in the opening two matches. Day Three at Adelaide did little to suggest a reversal of fortunes.
With Australia holding a massive lead and plenty of time left in the match, England now face the likelihood of batting last on a wearing pitch against a confident bowling attack. Even survival for a draw would require extraordinary resilience; victory appears almost impossible.
For Australia, the situation is simple. A declaration at the right moment on Day Four would give their bowlers ample time to attack England twice over if necessary. With conditions expected to deteriorate, the hosts will be eyeing another emphatic win—and potentially an unassailable series lead.
What England Must Do on Day Four
If England are to salvage anything from this Test, they must first restrict Australia’s lead as much as possible. Early wickets on Day Four are essential, though achieving them against set batters will be no easy task.
Should Australia declare with a lead pushing or exceeding 400, England’s focus will likely shift from chasing a result to avoiding defeat. That would require long, disciplined batting sessions—something England’s top order has struggled to deliver consistently in this series.
Australia’s Position of Strength
Australia, meanwhile, are in a position of luxury. They can afford patience, control, and tactical flexibility. Whether they choose to bat England completely out of the game or declare aggressively, the momentum is firmly on their side.
Travis Head’s innings has once again highlighted Australia’s ability to produce match-defining performances when it matters most. Combined with their bowling depth and fielding standards, it explains why they have dominated this Ashes contest so far.
Conclusion: A Day That Defined the Match
Day Three of the third Ashes Test may well be remembered as the day Australia effectively sealed the match. England’s morning resistance provided brief intrigue, but Travis Head’s commanding century and Australia’s relentless control extinguished any lingering uncertainty.
As the players left the field at stumps, the contrast was stark: Australia confident and composed, England searching for answers. With a lead of 356 runs and wickets in hand, the hosts are firmly on course for another statement victory—and perhaps the decisive blow in the Ashes series.
Day Four now beckons, but unless England can produce something extraordinary, the outcome of this Test feels all but decided.