The Ashes: Travis Head century pushes England closer to defeat
England were pushed towards the precipice of their quickest Ashes series defeat in more than 100 years as a Travis Head century continued Australia’s dominance in the third Test in Adelaide.
The header was reduced to 99 by Harry Brook, who wasted eight balls and bowled Joe Root for four to cause a deafening roar from the hometown crowd at the Adelaide Oval.
The left-hander took Australia’s second innings to over 200 and the overall lead increased to 300.
If England’s third defeat in as many Tests is completed on Saturday, it will mean the Ashes have been decided in the 10-day cricket campaign.
Not since 1921, when Australia needed just eight days of play to win in England, has the outcome of the trial been decided so quickly.
Head’s inevitable ton extinguished England’s hopes as captain Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer added 73 runs in the morning session.
Stokes made 83 and Archer made 106 for 51, the highest total by an England ninth-wicket pair in Australia since 1924.
Having reached a total of 286, trailing by 85 in the first innings, England could leave Australia with an outside chance by dismissing Australia for under 240 in the second innings.
At 53-2 and 149-4 England held on before being dragged away by Head. At some point England will be tasked with mounting the most successful chase in the field to keep the Ashes alive.
What worries the visitors further is the fitness of all-rounder Stokes, who is yet to bowl in Australia’s second innings.
