CRICKET: Head century crushes England's hopes as Australia eye Ashes win

ADELAIDE — Travis Head proved England’s nemesis once again, scoring his second century of the Ashes to propel Australia toward what looks like an inevitable series triumph on day three at Adelaide Oval on Friday.

Head’s unbeaten 142 in front of a jubilant home crowd of 53,696 lifted Australia to 271 for four at stumps and a commanding 356-run lead after England were bowled out for 286 earlier in the day.

Australia lead the five-match series 2-0 following comfortable victories in Perth and Brisbane, and now need only a draw in Adelaide to retain the urn as holders.

“We’ve had another really, really good day,” Head told reporters.

“We spoke today about trying to be as ruthless as much as we can. Tomorrow’s another huge day, and I think the wicket is deteriorating.”

Head was well supported by fellow South Australian Alex Carey, who added an unbeaten 52, as the local heroes combined for an unbroken 122-run partnership that further dented England’s hopes.

The century was unwelcome déjà vu for the tourists, who were still reeling from Head’s blistering 123 off 83 balls in the fourth innings in Perth earlier in the series.

The second hundred nearly slipped away when Head, on 99, slashed Jofra Archer low to gully, only for Harry Brook to spill a costly chance. The following over, Head smashed Will Jacks over his head for four to bring up the milestone in 146 balls.

The boundary sparked one of the warmest ovations of his career, with the 31-year-old dropping to his knees to kiss the pitch where he forged his career with South Australia.

Stokes sidelined as bowler

England captain Ben Stokes, visibly fatigued, opted not to bowl, leaving the visitors with few answers as Head continued to dominate.

“From what I understand, he’s pretty fit to bowl,” England bowling coach Jeetan Patel said of Stokes. “I know he’s pretty knackered.”

Australia lost early wickets, with opener Jake Weatherald (1), Marnus Labuschagne (13), and Cameron Green (7) falling cheaply. However, stand-in No. 4 Usman Khawaja steadied the innings with Head in an important 86-run partnership after Australia slipped to 53 for two.

Khawaja was caught behind for 40, slicing a loose delivery from part-time spinner Jacks. Green then edged Josh Tongue to the slips, where Brook took a sharp low catch, leaving Australia at 155 for four.

With Australia’s lead at just 240 runs at that stage, England briefly sensed an opening, but the momentum quickly shifted.

Carey arrived at the crease in fine form after scoring 106 in the first innings and 63 in the second Test in Brisbane. He added another half-century as shadows lengthened across the ground, capping another grueling day in the field for England.

Earlier, England resumed on 213 for eight, their slim hopes resting on Stokes and Archer. The pair produced one of England’s brighter moments of the series, sharing a 106-run partnership as both reached half-centuries.

Archer celebrated his maiden Test fifty with a single off Pat Cummins, adding to his five-wicket haul from Australia’s first innings.

The stand was finally broken when Mitchell Starc used the second new ball to devastating effect, producing a wobble-seam delivery that jagged back sharply to bowl Stokes for 83.

Stokes departed in frustration with England still 97 runs adrift of Australia’s first-innings total of 371.

Archer (51) and No. 11 Tongue (7 not out) added a further 12 runs before Archer edged Scott Boland to the slips, giving the seamer his third wicket of the innings. --Reporting by Ian Ransom in Adelaide; Editing by Peter Rutherford/Reuters