Travis Head's heroic unbeaten 142 puts Australia on the brink of Ashes glory

Travis Head's unbeaten 142 eclipsed earlier efforts by Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer to keep England in the hunt as Australia closed the day on 271/4, with a belligerent Head and a solid Alex Carey (52 not out) still at the crease. However, the visitors had their moment in the sun earlier in the day…

If there was ever a man to rescue a dire situation, it's Benjamin Andrew Stokes. After bowling 19 overs and batting two sessions yesterday, he was hardly fresh strolling to the crease on day three. But front up he did, and he had a willing partner in Archer. The pair chipped away at the large deficit, frustrating the Australian attack.  

Milestones tumbled as the dogged duo passed the 100-run partnership mark, the second-highest ninth-wicket partnership in Ashes history in Australia. Then Archer blazed Pat Cummins through point to reach his maiden Test 50. More significantly, the hosts' big lead had been reduced to less than 100 runs.

But Stokes' epic five-hour vigil was put to an end by the red-hot Mitchell Starc. A wobbled seam broke through Stokes' defences and crashed into the stumps. Archer ran down the pitch to congratulate his captain on his tremendous effort, taking England from 168/8 to 274/9. Josh Tongue and Archer added 12 more before the latter got an outside edge off the metronomic Scott Boland.

Head and Jack Weatherald began Australia's second innings with a healthy 85-run lead. England celebrated as early as the second over thanks to Brydon Carse, who trapped Wetherald in front for 1 with a sharp delivery. Upon replay, the ball pitched outside leg stump, but Australia failed to review.

Josh Tongue squared up Marnus Labuschagne to grab his outside edge in the 16th over, leaving the hosts 53/2. That brought the resurrected Usman Khawaja to the crease. The veteran combined nicely with Head as the pair began to take the game away from England. But Khawaja would later rue his shot choice, going after a long hop and getting a top edge for a soft dismissal. 

Tongue got his second wicket when he drew Cameron Green forward for the drive, but the big man only managed to get an outside edge, which Harry Brook gobbled up at first slip to leave Australia at 149/4. 

It's usually about this time when England turn to their talisman Stokes for a fiery spell. But still bearing wounds from earlier battles, their knight was unable to lead the charge. Nursing what appeared to be a groin strain, Stokes didn't bowl a single ball on Friday.

From there, it was the Travis Head show. The left-hander entertained, arguably most notably when he was on 99. He faced four dot balls and was then dropped by Harry Brook at point after flashing at one with an open face. A couple more dots followed until he finally danced down the pitch and lofted Joe Root back over his head for four. The Adelaide native - who now has four consecutive centuries at the ground - dropped to his knees and kissed the pitch as 53 000 fans cheered on. 

Head and Carey got back to work after the interlude, dispatching the tired, Stokes-less England attack to all corners as they notched up a 100-run stand to take a huge step towards winning the Test and the series.