Travis Head once again tormented England with a commanding century on the third day of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, stretching Australia’s lead to 356 with six wickets still in hand in the second innings.
On a surface offering plenty for batters, Head remained unbeaten on 142, his 11th Test hundred, finding support from Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey as Australia rebuilt after an early wobble.
Former England captain Nasser Hussain subsequently admitted that Brendon McCullum’s tourists would “need a miracle” in order to turn the match around.
Hussain pessimistic over England’s chances
“Australia have got a lot of batting still to come and they’re not going to be in a rush. They’re 2-0 up and even with a draw here, the Ashes are retained,” Sky Sports’ Hussain said.
“They want their bowlers, one of whom [Pat Cummins] is coming back from a few months out with an injury, to have a big lead. They want Nathan Lyon to have a pitch that’s turning a little bit more, so they’re in no rush. They’ll look to get the lead past 450.
“One of the things this England side has done well, under this regime, is chase in the fourth innings, but this is different. This is with the Ashes on the line, and it looks like it’s going to be 450 plus.
“The odds are slim. England need a miracle, though I always believe that a game of cricket – go back to Headingley in 2019 – it’s not over till it’s over. Especially in an Ashes series. You fight until that very last delivery, but England are staring down the barrel.”
Fatigue prevents Stokes from bowling
England’s worries are compounded by uncertainty over Ben Stokes’ condition, with the captain not bowling in Australia’s second innings after a gruelling spell at the crease.
“He’s ok, from what we understand. We don’t really know just yet,” England spin bowling coach Jeetan Patel told TNT Sports regarding Stokes.
“You know he’s the sort of character that leaves everything out there, and I think he spent a lot of time out there trying to do that for the England team so far.
“It may have taken a little bit of a toll, but we’ll see where it pulls up tomorrow.”
Patel added: “All I know is he goes at 100%. If he thinks he can’t do it at 100%, I don’t think he’s going to do it. That’s probably where he’s at.”
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SportJustSport writers