Travis Head Sets the Tone as Australia Dominate Third Test

Australia tightened their grip on the Ashes after an aggressive unbeaten half-century from Travis Head helped the hosts build a commanding 204-run lead on Day 3 of the third Test on Friday, December 19, 2025.

At tea, Australia were 119 for 2 in their second innings, with Head on a fluent 68 not out and Usman Khawaja providing steady support on 27. The pair looked determined to bat England out of the contest and set up an unassailable position in the five-match series.

Head played with trademark intent, punishing anything loose and cutting and pulling with authority to all parts of the ground. His counter-attacking knock evoked memories of his match-winning century in Perth earlier in the series and further dented England’s fading confidence.

Australia had faced a brief setback shortly before lunch when opener Jake Weatherald was given lbw for one. Although replays suggested the ball pitched outside leg stump, Weatherald chose not to review and walked off, handing England an early breakthrough.

Marnus Labuschagne survived a scare on eight when England appealed strongly for a catch behind, only for replays to show a clear gap between bat and ball. However, he was dismissed soon after for 13, edging Josh Tongue to slip where Harry Brook held on safely.

Earlier, England were bowled out for 286 in reply to Australia’s first-innings total of 371. Captain Ben Stokes led a spirited resistance with a gritty 83, batting through pain and exhaustion in oppressive heat. He also shared a vital 106-run ninth-wicket partnership with Jofra Archer that briefly revived England’s hopes.

Stokes brought up the slowest half-century of his Test career, taking 159 balls, before being bowled by Mitchell Starc with the second new ball. Archer continued to fight, scoring 51 — his maiden Test fifty — before becoming the final wicket to fall.

Scott Boland finished with impressive figures of 3 for 45, while Pat Cummins claimed 3 for 69 in his first Test since July following a lower back issue. The Australian bowling attack maintained relentless pressure throughout England’s innings.

England’s troubles began on Thursday when Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope were dismissed in a devastating 15-ball spell, leaving the visitors reeling early. Harry Brook showed some resistance with 45, but the collapse proved costly.

Having already lost the first two Tests convincingly, England now face an uphill battle to save the Ashes, while Australia move ever closer to sealing the series in dominant fashion.