Adelaide: Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins took three wickets each to put Australia within touching distance of the Ashes as England lost six wickets chasing a mammoth target of 435 on the final day of the third Test at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
At the close of play on the fourth day, the visitors were 207/6, with batting all-rounder Will Jacks and wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Smith unbeaten on 11 and 2 respectively.
Both will resume England’s chase on the final day as the Three Lions still need 228 runs.
At the start of play on the fourth day, Australia resumed their second innings from 271/4 and added another 78 runs to the overnight score before being bowled out for 349 in 84.4 overs.
Centurion Head, who resumed Australia’s batting partnership with Alex Carey, added another 28 to his tally until he fell to Josh Dunk in the eighth over of the day.
He top scored for Australia in the second innings with 170 off 219 balls with 16 fours and 2 sixes.
Carey, on the other hand, anchored a 72 run that included six fours after 17 balls and was dismissed on Ben Stokes’ bumper.
Following his dismissal, the England fast bowlers swept through Australia’s batting wall, taking the remaining four wickets in just 38 balls and conceding only 20 runs.
Josh Dungu led England’s bowling in the second innings with four wickets, Brayden Garse was close behind with three, while Jofra Archer, Stokes and Jacks took one each.
Notably, Australia lead England 2-0 in the five-match Ashes series and a win in the current match will ensure the series win.