At the Adelaide Oval, fans began to rejoice on Day 3 of the third Ashes Test Australia and England, It began on 17 December 2025 as the home side had a 356-run lead at the stumps. Head of Travis‘s masterful unbeaten 142 anchored the second innings with 271/4 after Australia’s first innings reply of 371 and England’s 286, turning the match decisively in their favor at a run rate of 4.10. With a roaring crowd of 53,696, the Baggy Greens left England with a mountain to climb. 2025-26 Ashes series.
Travis Head’s century puts Australia in the driver’s seat on Day 3 of the Adelaide Test
Head made a magnificent unbeaten 142 off 196 balls with a commanding knock that completely shaped the course of the match. His smooth hitting included 13 fours and two powerful sixes, while the left-hander brought up his century on 49 after Australia reached the 200-run mark.
The innings was not without its early challenges as Australia lost Jake Weatherald cheap and then Marnus Labuschagne put the side under pressure soon after. The head, however, showed composure and intent, stitching together an important partnership Osman Khawaja that stabilized the innings and gradually shifted the momentum in Australia’s favour. Khawaja’s dismissal for 40 briefly opened the door for England and Cameron Green‘s short stay added to the uncertainty, but the Chief did not let the initiative slip away.
As the innings wore on, he grew in confidence, attacking the bowlers with authority and accelerating his scoring rate significantly in the latter stages. His aggressive finish ensured Australia finished the day on a strong note, while his innings responded in time to critics after a low score in the first innings, reiterating his reputation for producing decisive performances in big situations.
Alex Carey’s strong counter-attacks ensure Australia’s lead at 3rd Ash Test
Alex Carey He once again proved to be Australia’s quiet stalwart as he forged a decisive partnership with Travis Head to take firm control of the hosts on Day 3. Carey, unbeaten on 52, played a measured but positive knock as he and Head added 122 runs for the fifth wicket after tea. The duo took advantage of England’s tiring bowling attack, which struggled for discipline and leaked crucial extras, to ensure Australia easily passed the 250-run mark.
Carey’s innings came on the back of his perfect first-innings century, which helped Australia recover from a shaky situation earlier, highlighting his impeccable timing and match awareness. England’s bowlers failed to exert sustained pressure as boundaries and singles kept the scoreboard moving despite long spells.
Earlier in the day, Australia’s bowlers had challenged England to a 286 with the skipper. Pat Cummins leads side by side Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon. Ben Stokes batted hard with a tough 83 and fought back late on Jofra Archerbut the stand was not enough to halt Australia’s momentum. The third day, when the runs flowed and England visibly wore down, swung the match in Australia’s favor and put them in a good position to push for victory.
Also READ: Ashes 2025–26: Fans erupt as Travis Head hits dazzling century on Day 3 of Adelaide Test
Here’s how the fans reacted:
TRAVIS HEAD – THE MAN FOR AUSTRALIA. 😍
Tests ✅
ODI ✅
T20 Ice ✅I think Head is the most effective batsman in International cricket this decade. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/bnW5JNghjh
– Jones. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 19, 2025
A HUNDRED ASHES BY TRAVIS HEAD.
– Great shot by Head, his fantastic form continues. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/Zc3yxaDdab
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 19, 2025
Try a hundred for 1️⃣1️⃣ Travis Head 💯#TravisHead #AUSvsENG #Ashes2025 pic.twitter.com/Xa3L8h4eW3
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 19, 2025
Adelaide’s own piece is back on the Ashes stage! 🙌💯
(Travis Head | Play With Fire | AUS vs ENG) pic.twitter.com/HowMYqNooq
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) December 19, 2025
Half a decade has passed and I have no doubt that Travis Head has been the best men’s cricketer ever. pic.twitter.com/40hNax6jna
— Saksham Agarwal (@Saksham319) December 19, 2025
I was surprised to see Alex Carey become the first Australian wicketkeeper to score 100 and 50 in a men’s test match.#Ash #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/80MFgNe2sD
— Daniel Wiles (sports) (@WombatCatcher) December 19, 2025
𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏____
122 – Travis Head & Alex Carey*Stumps on Day 3:
Australia lead by a massive 356 runs to finish at 271/4.
Dominant. Merciless. Unstoppable. 🇦🇺🔥#Ashes2025 #AUSvsENG #TravisHead #AlexCarey pic.twitter.com/i4pAN7dT0k— Mr Cricket UAE (@mrcricketuae) December 19, 2025
Well Played!! Travis Head 142* and Alex Carey 52*. Hometown boys shine in Adelaide. 😍🇦🇺👏🏻 #Ash pic.twitter.com/aB36ah98n5
— Red Devils (@OldTraffordMen) December 19, 2025
STUMPS – DAY 3: Australia in full control! 🏏🇦🇺
AUS: 371 & 271/4 (66 times)
ING: 286
Leading: 356 runs 📈
Travis Head (142*) and Alex Carey (52*) put on a master class. England’s Ashes hopes are fading faster than an Adelaide sunset. 📉🌅#Ashes2025 #AUSvENG #cricket pic.twitter.com/rZRZtbw24t
— Arun R Arya (@arunarya6396) December 19, 2025
Travis Head (142*) and Alex Carey (52*) put Australia on 356 at 271/4 at the end of Day 3 in a dominant position.
England needs a miracle https://t.co/hYHA1RAD4S
— Mike (@MIKE_CAVS_UK) December 19, 2025
Alex Carey in the Adelaide Test:
– Hundred in 1st innings.
– Fifty in the 2nd innings.Alex Carey has a memorable Test match at home, what a year. 👏#AlexCarey #AUSvENG #Ash #ash25 #Ashes pic.twitter.com/PRZB5NOOZi
— Sabir Zafar (@Sabir_Saabu01) December 19, 2025
Also WATCH: Ben Stokes castle with Mitchell Starc absolute jaffa on Day 3 of the Adelaide Test
