Australia on top as Head, Smith pile on the pain for England

Travis Head and Steve Smith produced commanding centuries to put Australia in a dominant position after three days of the fifth and final Ashes Test, stretching their first-innings lead to 134 runs and tightening their grip on the match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

By stumps on Tuesday, Australia were 518 for 7 in reply to England’s 384, with Smith unbeaten on 129 and Beau Webster giving him solid support on 42. The pair added an unbroken 81 runs for the eighth wicket, leaving Australia well placed to push beyond a 200-run lead as the pitch began to show signs of wear.

Head was the star of the day’s play, scoring his third century of the series and once again tormenting England’s bowlers. Resuming on 91, the left-hander went on to make a superb 163 off 166 balls, blending aggression with control in another match-shaping innings. It followed his 123 at Perth and 170 at Adelaide, knocks that were central to Australia retaining the Ashes earlier in the series.

Head reached his hundred from just 105 balls, becoming the first Australian opener since Matthew Hayden in 2002–03 to score three centuries in an Ashes series. He struck 24 fours and a six, surviving a major let-off on 121 when Will Jacks dropped a straightforward catch at mid-wicket off Brydon Carse.

Although Head briefly slowed after that reprieve, he later accelerated again, hitting the first six of Australia’s innings and passing 150 before finally being dismissed in the second session with Australia well on top at 288 for 4.

Smith then took full control of proceedings. The century was a welcome return to form in what had been a relatively quiet series by his standards. It was his 13th Ashes hundred, the 37th of his Test career and his fifth at the SCG, lifting him to sixth on the all-time list of Test centurions.

“I just love batting here,” Smith said. “It’s my home deck. I know the ground really well, and when I get in, I really enjoy batting.”

Smith shared steady partnerships with several teammates 51 with Usman Khawaja, 27 with Alex Carey and 61 with Cameron Green before remaining firm late in the day. Green made 37 but threw away a promising start, while Carey contributed 16.

One of the most emotional moments came when Khawaja walked out to bat in his 88th and final Test . Playing at the ground where he debuted 15 years ago, the retiring opener received a huge ovation from the Sydney crowd. He scored 17 before departing to another standing ovation, underlining his popularity and significance beyond just numbers.

Smith reached his century from 166 balls, striking 11 fours and a six. Characteristically animated at the crease, he hopped, shuffled and gestured constantly, even asking Carse to adjust his sunglasses because of a distracting reflection.

“It just kind of happens when I’m out there,” Smith said. “When I’m doing those things, I’m usually in a good zone.”

With one day left to build a decisive lead, Australia are firmly in control and England face a steep challenge to avoid defeat in the final Test of the series.

England – 1st Innings:

384 all out

Joe Root 160, Harry Brook 84, Jamie Smith 46

Michael Neser 4/60, Scott Boland 2/85, Mitchell Starc 2/93

Australia – 1st Innings:

Australia: 518/7 (stumps)

Head 163,Smith 129, Beau Webster 42, Carse 3/108

Lead:

Australia by 134 runs