Travis Head and Steve Smith score centuries in dominant day for Australia

Australia is sitting pretty on 518/7 at the close of day three, boasting a 134-run lead with England still needing to find three wickets before they can bat again.

The Baggy Greens began the day on 166/2, 218 runs behind England and set about reducing the deficit with Head and Michael Neser putting on a 72-run partnership for the third wicket before the latter was caught behind off the bowling of Brydon Carse for 24.

Any joy England may have got from Neser's fall was short-lived, though, as Smith and Head put on another 58 runs, with Head going passed 150.

The Australian opener was in devastating form once again and was scoring at virtually run-a-ball pace his entire innings. Jacob Bethell eventually managed to trap him leg-before-wicket but not before he had amassed 163 runs off 166 balls.

Usman Khawaja battled to 17 off 49 balls before Carse got him LBW and Alex Carey also fell cheaply for 16 off 13 balls.

With Australia at 366/6, England would have been hoping they might be able to restrict any potential lead but then the tail began to wag.

Cameron Green and Smith put on 71 runs before the former was caught by Ben Duckett off the bowling of Carse.

Beau Webster was next in and his attacking mindset paid off as he raced to 42 not out by the close of play on day three. Smith ended the day on 129 not out.

England will need to take the final three wickets quickly on day four if they are to have any hope of picking up a result in the fifth and final Ashes Test.

Australia 518/7 (Head 163, Smith 129*, Carse 108-3) lead England's 384 (Root 160, Brook 84, Neser 60-4) by 134 runs.

READ MORE: SA U19 coach Malibongwe Maketa happy with World Cup preparations