Travis Head’s Adelaide Masterclass Puts Australia in Command of Third Ashes Test

Travis Head Continues His Adelaide Dominance

Travis Head hit an unbeaten 142 as Australia closed day three of the third Test on 271-4 in their second innings, leading England by 356 runs, putting the hosts in a commanding position to retain the Ashes with two games remaining. The left-handed batsman has once again proven why Adelaide Oval is his fortress, delivering a match-defining performance when his country needed it most.

Fourth Consecutive Century at Adelaide

Head received rapturous applause for a fourth hundred in as many Tests on his home patch, cementing his status as one of Adelaide’s most beloved sporting figures. Head went to lunch on five from six balls, but was the dominant figure in the middle session, scoring 63 from 88 balls to shift momentum decisively in Australia’s favour. The 31-year-old showed remarkable composure despite early pressure, surviving short-ball attacks and stacked field placements.

Building Partnerships Under Pressure

Head’s innings was built on crucial partnerships that extended Australia’s commanding position. He received useful support from Usman Khawaja (40) and Alex Carey (52no), who followed up his first-innings ton with another vital half century. Head and Carey’s unbroken partnership ticked up to 122, stretching the lead beyond 350 runs and leaving England facing a near-impossible task to save the Test.

England’s Struggles Continue

England briefly threatened during the evening session when Will Jacks claimed Khawaja, with Tongue adding Cameron Green in the very next over. However, any momentum was quickly snuffed out by Head’s relentless batting. The tourists’ bowling attack, missing the leadership of an injured Ben Stokes and lacking a frontline spinner, struggled to contain Australia’s scoring rate on a pitch that remained favourable for batting.

Head’s Rise as Australia’s Match-Winner

Inside four entertaining hours on day three, Head both demoralised a briefly reinvigorated England and added a new string to his attacking bow: that of third-innings enforcer. This performance reinforces Head’s reputation as one of cricket’s most destructive batsmen. He won his first Allan Border Medal at the 2025 Australian Cricket Awards, recognising his outstanding contributions across all formats.

What This Means for the Series

With Australia holding a 2-0 series lead and now dominating the third Test, England’s hopes of regaining the Ashes appear all but extinguished. The tourists must somehow overcome a 356-run deficit on day four or face going 3-0 down with just two matches remaining. Head’s century has not only put Australia on the brink of victory in Adelaide but has also demonstrated the gulf in class between the two sides in this series. For England, questions will inevitably arise about their strategy and ability to compete in Australian conditions.