Post by : Meena Ariff

With an explosive performance from Travis Head, Australia significantly strengthened their Ashes position on Day 3 of the third Test, establishing a solid 204-run advantage on Friday, December 19, 2025.

By tea, Australia stood at 119 for 2 in their second innings, with Head not out at 68 and Usman Khawaja supporting with a steady 27. The duo aimed to dominate the match and secure an unassailable lead in the ongoing five-Test series.

Head showcased his signature aggressive style, seizing on every loose delivery and playing assertively across the ground. His counter-attacking innings harked back to his pivotal century in Perth, further shaking England's already dwindling confidence.

Australia experienced a minor hiccup just before lunch when opener Jake Weatherald fell lbw for just one run. Despite replays indicating the ball pitched outside leg stump, Weatherald opted against a review, granting England an early breakthrough.

Marnus Labuschagne dodged an early dismissal scare for eight when England's appeal for caught behind was overturned by replays revealing a clear gap between bat and ball. However, he soon departed for 13, edging Josh Tongue to slip where Harry Brook made a solid catch.

In their first innings, England managed 286 in response to Australia’s 371, with captain Ben Stokes leading a resilient effort. Stokes scored a gritty 83 despite battling exhaustion and oppressive heat, forming a crucial 106-run ninth-wicket partnership with Jofra Archer that offered a brief flicker of hope.

Stokes' half-century was the slowest of his Test career, requiring 159 balls, before he was bowled by Mitchell Starc using the second new ball. Archer fought on to score 51, marking his maiden Test fifty before becoming the final wicket to fall.

Scott Boland delivered a stellar performance, finishing with figures of 3 for 45, while Pat Cummins, returning from a back injury, claimed 3 for 69. The Australian bowling unit maintained tight control throughout England's innings.

England's woes started the previous day when Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Ollie Pope fell in a swift 15-ball collapse, leaving the team in disarray. Harry Brook showed some fleeting resistance with 45 runs, but the team's collapse proved too costly.

Having lost the opening two Tests convincingly, England now faces a formidable task to salvage the Ashes, while Australia moves closer to clinching the series in impressive fashion.

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