England had been pushed in the direction of the precipice of the quickest Ashes collection defeat in additional than 100 years as a Travis Head century maintained Australia’s grip on the third Check in Adelaide.

Head was dropped on 99 by Harry Brook and spent eight balls one run in need of 100 earlier than belting Joe Root down the bottom for 4 to attract a deafening roar from his home-town crowd on the Adelaide Oval.

The left-hander moved Australia’s second innings to 271-4 and their total result in 356 on the finish of the third day.

If England’s third loss in as many Exams is accomplished on Saturday, it could imply the Ashes have been determined in 10 days of cricket.

Not since 1921, when Australia wanted solely eight days of play to win in England, has the vacation spot of the urn been settled so swiftly.

Head’s inevitable ton snuffed out transient England hope that was raised when captain Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer added 73 runs within the morning session.

Stokes made 83 and Archer 51 in a stand of 106, the very best by an England ninth-wicket pair in Australia since 1924.

By creeping to 286 all out, 85 behind on first innings, England might have left themselves an outdoor probability by dismissing Australia for a complete beneath 240 of their second innings.

At 53-2 and 149-4, England clung on earlier than being lower adrift by Head. Sooner or later, England might be tasked with pulling off the very best profitable chase on this floor with a purpose to maintain the Ashes alive.

Of additional concern to the guests is the health of all-rounder Stokes, who’s but to bowl within the 66 overs of Australia’s second innings.