Head, Carey Power Australia to Set England Record 435-Run Target

Adelaide Oval: Travis Head smashed a brilliant 170 while Alex Carey added 72 as Australia were bowled out for 349 in their second innings on Saturday, leaving England with a daunting record target of 435 to win and keep the Ashes series alive at the Adelaide Oval.

England wrapped up the Australian innings before lunch, taking six wickets in the morning session after Australia resumed on 271 for four. Despite the breakthroughs, the hosts had already done significant damage, extending their lead to a position of near safety as Ashes holders, needing only a draw to retain the urn.

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England’s reply got off to a shaky start, with Ben Duckett edging Pat Cummins to second slip for four in the second over. At lunch, England were struggling at 5 for one, with Ollie Pope unbeaten on one and Zak Crawley yet to score.

With defeats in the opening two Tests at Perth and Brisbane, England must win to stay in contention in the five-match series. However, history is firmly against them, as no team has ever chased more than 316 at Adelaide, while the highest successful run chase in Test cricket remains 418.

Earlier, Head thrilled the home crowd with his aggressive stroke play, reaching 150 off 205 balls before falling short of a double century. Carey continued his strong form after a first-innings century but was eventually dismissed as England tightened their bowling late in the innings.

Josh Tongue was the pick of England’s bowlers with figures of 4 for 70, as Australia set England one of the toughest fourth-innings challenges in Ashes history.