Root Dominates With 160 Before Head’s 91* Sparks Australia’s Reply

On a day full of unexpected turns and head-scratching moments that have become a trend in this series, Joe Root and Travis Head stole the limelight as the final Ashes Test looks certain to stretch deep into the match.

The fifth Test is on track to run at least into the fourth day, likely a fifth, after Root’s magnificent 160 and Head’s blistering unbeaten 91 off 87 balls shaped the contest at the SCG.

After the weather cut the opening day to only 45 overs, Root took charge early, cruising to his 41st Test hundred and joining Ricky Ponting in third place on the all-time list. In what could be his farewell Test in Australia, he fell ninth out after 242 balls in an innings that will sit alongside his long-awaited Brisbane century earlier in the tour.

Despite England hitting what looked like a strong total, the mood shifted quickly as Australia seized control later in the day.

England Collapses After Strong Platform

Root and Harry Brook had made batting look straightforward on day one, but the surface had more life on the second morning. The bounce became steeper, troubling most batters except Root, who handled the challenge with authority.

However, England again let a promising position slip, losing 4 for 9 and finishing 384 all out.

Spin barely featured, not appearing until the 72nd over, with Head and Beau Webster combining for just five overs in an innings that lasted 97.3 overs. The decision not to pick Todd Murphy will continue to draw discussion, but Australia’s quicks did the heavy lifting, especially with the second new ball.

Michael Neser proved decisive, collecting 4 for 60, including a brilliant diving return catch to finally send Root back.

England Falters With The Ball

Brydon Carse could not repeat his MCG form, while debutant Matthew Potts leaked 25 runs from his first three overs. Potts was unlucky when Jake Weatherald edged to Root, who couldn’t cling on, and then Ben Duckett dropped another chance.

Weatherald eventually fell lbw for 21 to Ben Stokes, while his partner, Travis Head, punished England for their inconsistency.

Marnus Labuschagne looked more confident and built a solid partnership with Head. Head became the first batter to pass 500 runs in the series. He became the first player since Steven Smith in 2019 to reach 500 runs in an Ashes series, and he reached his fifty off just 55 balls. Labuschagne, however, lost track of 48 and edged the ball to gully, which gave Stokes the much-needed opening.

Rain ended play just as the final over began, shortly after Neser, acting as nightwatchman, was struck on the elbow.

Root also appeared to suffer a back spasm late in the day and went off the field, though he was fit enough to handle media afterwards.

England Lose Momentum Early On Day Two

Play began 30 minutes early with England 211 for 3, but their hopes dipped when Brook and Stokes departed quickly.

Smith’s defensive fields initially frustrated Brook, but after reaching 84, he edged Scott Boland to first slip, marking his sixth unconverted Ashes fifty.

Mitchell Starc then produced a superb delivery to dismiss Stokes for an 11-ball duck, taking him to five dismissals of Stokes in the series and 14 overall in Tests.

Jamie Smith Adds Runs, But England Wastes Opportunities

Jamie Smith’s unusual but productive knock of 46 helped rescue England briefly in partnership with Root.

Root survived a scare on 94 before celebrating his first away Ashes hundred in a red-ball match. Smith lived dangerously, surviving a no-ball dismissal and a mix-up between Carey and Webster that gifted him four.

Will Jacks steadied the innings, and he had 52 with Root, when he reached 150, for the 17th time in his career. But the second dose of the new ball with Neser on it would not allow England to get anything that might be a match-making score.

Australia ended 166 for 2, 218 behind. On 91, Head was never beaten and appeared threatening at the start of day three.