Ashes 2025-26: Australia vs England Highlights & Review – 3rd Test, Day 3

How did Day 3 of the 3rd Ashes Test go between Australia vs England? — Review, Turning Points & more

Australia had another productive day in the third Ashes Test against England at the Adelaide Oval on Friday, December 19. Trailing Australia’s first-innings total by 158 runs, England started Day 3 at 213/8. Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer added 61 runs to the overnight total before the former was dismissed for a 198-ball 83.

Archer went on to score his maiden half-century in international cricket before Scott Boland sent him packing. He made 51 runs off 105 balls. The Three Lions were bowled out for 286 in 87.2 overs, handing Australia a first-innings lead of 85 runs.

In Australia’s second innings, Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne departed cheaply. However, Travis Head backed his natural instincts and took the attack to the England bowlers. Usman Khawaja also played a fluent 40-run knock off 51 deliveries.

England, however, bounced back strongly as Will Jacks and Josh Tongue dismissed Khawaja and Cameron Green in consecutive overs. At 149/4, Australia were in a spot of bother, but Head and Alex Carey forged an unbeaten 122-run partnership to deter England’s spirit. The day ended with Australia at 271/4, with Head batting on 142 and Carey giving him company on 52. The hosts lead by 356 runs at the end of Day 3.

Top batting performance — Travis Head

Travis Head played another one of his trademark knocks on Friday. He took the English bowlers to the cleaners, hitting boundaries at will. The southpaw remained unbeaten on 142 off 196 balls, belting 13 fours and two sixes.

Top bowling performance — Josh Tongue

Josh Tongue bowled with a lot of steam on Day 3 and had the batters in trouble a few times with his searing pace. The right-arm seamer dismissed Labuschagne and Green to finish the day with figures of 2/59 in 14 overs.

Records Broken and Major Milestones Achieved

• Alex Carey became only the fourth wicketkeeper to register 50-plus scores in both innings of an Ashes Test.
• Travis Head became the fifth batter to register centuries in four consecutive Tests at an Australian venue. The opening batter was dropped on 99 by Harry Brook.
• Jofra Archer became the first England player in 30 years to take a five-wicket haul and score a fifty in a Test match.