Travis Head Leads Australia to Strong Position in Ashes Test

Travis Head's aggressive half-century has strengthened Australia's grip on the Ashes on Day 3 of the third Test, taking a commanding 204-run lead against England on Friday, December 19, 2025.

By the tea break, Australia stood at 119 for 2 in their second innings, with Head impressively not out on 68 and receiving solid backing from Usman Khawaja, who scored 27. Their determination to drive England out of contention has anchored their position in the series.

Head displayed his classic style, skillfully punishing loose balls and executing cuts and pulls with confidence all over the ground. His countering innings is reminiscent of his match-winning century in Perth earlier this series and has further exacerbated England's diminishing morale.

Australia faced a minor hiccup just before lunch when opener Jake Weatherald was dismissed lbw for a single run. Despite replays indicating the ball was pitched outside leg stump, Weatherald opted against reviewing the decision, enabling England to claim an early wicket.

Marnus Labuschagne had a moment of fright when England's appeal for a catch behind was strongly voiced, but video evidence cleared him of any dismissal. Nevertheless, he was out soon after for 13, edging Josh Tongue's delivery to slip where Harry Brook held the catch securely.

Earlier, England collapsed to 286, responding to Australia's first innings score of 371. Captain Ben Stokes delivered a valiant performance, making 83 while battling through the oppressive heat. He also partnered with Jofra Archer for a crucial 106-run ninth-wicket stand, momentarily rekindling England's hopes.

Stokes achieved the slowest half-century of his Test career, requiring 159 balls, before Mitchell Starc dismissed him just after the introduction of the second new ball. Archer fought back with a score of 51, marking his first Test fifty before also being out.

Scott Boland recorded impressive bowling stats with 3 for 45, while Pat Cummins took 3 for 69 in his first Test since July due to a lower back injury. The Australian bowlers consistently applied pressure throughout England’s innings.

England's woes escalated on Thursday when Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Ollie Pope were quickly dismissed in a devastating sequence of play, leaving the visitors in a precarious position. Despite Harry Brook's resistance with a score of 45, the batting collapse proved very costly.

With two Tests already lost convincingly, England now faces a daunting challenge to salvage the Ashes, as Australia continues to inch closer to wrapping up the series in an emphatic style.