Ashes 2025-26, Sydney Test, Day 3 review: Travis Head, Steve Smith centuries make it Australia's day

Australia are in the driver's seat at the end of the third day of the Sydney Test against England on Tuesday, January 6. The day belonged to the home team completely as they scored 352 runs losing five wickets in three full sessions of play.

Australia began the day on 166/2 with Travis Head (91*) and Michael Neser (1*) at the crease. The former did not waste much time as he reached his 12th hundred and third of the series in 105 balls through a crisp square drive. Neser, at the other end, looked comfortable, holding fort and allowing Head to play his natural game without any worry.

The England bowlers searched for wickets early on to no avail. Matthew Potts, who came into the side, was expensive in the first session. The right-arm fast bowler was struck for three consecutive fours at one stage and his economy rate read nine runs per over. The visitors' fielding did not help the cause either. Will Jacks dropped a fairly easy boundary-line catch of Head when he was on 122, adding to the team's woes.

After a little more than 20 overs in the day, England got their first breakthrough in the form of Neser (24 off 90) who provided a valuable hand. Skipper Steve Smith joined Head and the pair built another partnership steadily. Head played in his usual manner as he crossed the 150-run mark in 152 balls with Smith going about his business with confidence.

England were looking for a wicket badly and turned to the spin of Jacob Bethell who did provide a breakthrough. Head was out LBW while sweeping the left-armer with the tracker showing the ball hitting the leg stump. Head's magnificent innings included 24 fours and a six as he finished at 163 runs off 166 balls.

Usman Khawaja, who is playing his last Test match, walked out to a standing ovation. The left-hander combined with Smith to form another 50+ run partnership. But, a full toss from Brydon Carse proved to be his undoing as he was out for 17 runs off 49 balls with Australia at 339/5.

Wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey could not build a long innings despite looking good. The South Australian struck three boundaries in quick time, but was out at leg slip off Josh Tongue for 16 runs off 13 balls.

Smith was going strong at the other end and was playing in his signature style. The Australian captain breached the 100-run mark for the 37th time in his career. Notably, it was also his 13th century against England and a fifth at the SCG.

The quirky right-hander kept going afterwards and was ably supported by Cameron Green (37 off 64) and Beau Webster (42* off 58) in the last session of the day. Australia ended the day on 518/7 with Smith (129* off 205) at the other end.

For England, Carse was the best bowler (3/108) with Ben Stokes (2/87) lending a helping hand where wickets are concerned. Importantly, the visitors dropped four catches and missed one run out today. The mistakes, without a doubt, explain why they are in the situation that they are in.