Steve Smith & Travis Head Deliver a Ruthless Ashes Masterclass in Sydney
Australia delivered a ruthless reminder of their dominance on day three at the Sydney Cricket Ground, as Steve Smith and Travis Head combined centuries to grind England cricket team into submission and all but bury any lingering resistance in the fifth Ashes Test.
On a surface that grew increasingly benign, Australia’s batters batted with patience, authority, and an unmistakable sense of inevitability. Across three sessions, England’s bowlers were worked over relentlessly, their energy drained and confidence eroded as Australia piled on the runs and stretched their advantage to ominous proportions.
Head resumed exactly where he had left off the previous evening, wasting no time in accelerating toward his third Ashes century of the series. His innings was classic Head — fearless, fluent, and destructive. The left-hander raced to 163 from just 166 balls, repeatedly punishing anything overpitched or short. England’s cause wasn’t helped by sloppy fielding, with Will Jacks dropping Head twice, including a costly chance on 121 that effectively set the tone for the day.
When Head was finally dismissed shortly after lunch by a left-arm dart from Jacob Bethell, Australia were 288 for four. Head’s series tally had climbed to a staggering 600 runs, underlining just how brutal his impact has been throughout the contest. Yet, for all the fireworks, this was ultimately Smith’s day.
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Smith’s innings unfolded in his own inimitable style — eccentric, absorbing, and utterly deflating for the opposition. He offered a half-chance early on 12 to leg slip, prompting groans from England, who have now spilled roughly 17 catches in the series. Several more opportunities went begging as Smith methodically built his innings, aided by England’s wasted reviews and a lack of sustained pressure.
When Smith nudged a single on 83, he quietly passed Jack Hobbs on the all-time Ashes run list, moving to 3,637 and leaving only Don Bradman ahead of him. Polite applause acknowledged the milestone, but the volume rose sharply later in the afternoon when Smith paddled three runs to bring up his 13th Ashes century — and his 37th in Test cricket.
The celebration was fittingly idiosyncratic, much like the innings itself. Smith gestured constantly, spotted flies on the sightscreen, ducked under bouncers with a roly-poly motion, and ended up with dirt-stained whites. It was vintage Smith — awkward, intense, and brutally effective. He finished the day unbeaten on 129 from 205 balls.
Steve Smith & Travis Head’s Twin Centuries Leave England Broken and the Ashes All but Decided
England briefly sensed an opening when the second new ball arrived with Australia 324 for four, still trailing by 60. But that hope evaporated quickly. Smith found solid support from Cameron Green and Beau Webster, who chipped in with valuable runs to keep England firmly on the back foot. Webster, in particular, looked untroubled as Australia surged past England’s total.
By stumps, Australia had reached 518 for seven from 124 overs, holding a commanding lead of 134. The figures told a grim story for England’s attack, none more so than Matthew Potts, who conceded 141 runs from 25 overs and endured the indignity of being hauled for a towering pulled six by Head.
The atmosphere at the SCG reflected the occasion. The crowd, dressed in pink to support the McGrath Foundation, roared every boundary and jeered every declined appeal. The Barmy Army sang gamely throughout, but it felt like a familiar Sydney script — one where England toil endlessly while Australia turn the screw.
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Having already lost five wickets cheaply to the second new ball earlier in the match, England were left staring at another long, bruising day. With faces flushed and spirits sagging, Ben Stokes and his men trudged off at stumps knowing this tour is heading toward a grim conclusion.
So much for the pre-match concerns about the pitch. On day three, it offered everything a batter could want — and Smith and Head took full advantage, leaving Australia firmly in control and England seeing pink elephants as the Ashes slipped ever further from reach.
