Travis Head has scored an unbeaten half-century to guide Australia to 119 for two in its second innings, a lead of 204 at tea on Day 3 of the third Ashes cricket test against England.

In front of his home crowd, Travis Head scores 170 to edge Australia closer to retaining the Ashes.

With that, Bazball’s bold promise met Australia’s brutal reality. Pat Cummins and his men not only outplayed England but also exposed the limits of their attacking philosophy in unforgiving conditions. The Ashes are retained, the urn stays home, and England are left to reflect on a campaign that began with conviction but ended in surrender.

Australia have explained Usman Khawaja’s absence from the field during England’s innings as due to “back spasms”. Khawaja was not allowed to open the batting alongside Test debutant Jake Weatherald in Australia’s Ashes opener in Perth on Friday because he had spent too much time off the field during England’s innings.

The Aussies need four more English wickets on the final day to seal the five-match series 3-0. Catch the scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary from the AUS vs ENG match

England lose three wickets for 17 to start the final hours play on day four in Adelaide; Nathan Lyon dismisses Harry Brook, Ben Stokes and Zak Crawley as tourists close on 207-6 in pursuit of Test-rec