Ashes 5th Test, Day 3 – Australia Seize Control at the SCG

Australia ended Day 3 of the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground in a commanding position, piling up 518 for 7 in their first innings and stretching their overall lead to 134 runs over England.

What began as a promising contest after England’s solid 384 was turned firmly in Australia’s favour by a ruthless middle-order display led by Travis Head and an unbreakable evening stand featuring Steven Smith.

Morning Session – Head Takes Charge

Resuming at 166/2, Australia wasted no time in asserting dominance. Travis Head, already unbeaten on 91, went on the offensive straight away. England’s hopes of early breakthroughs were dashed when two reviews against Michael Neser were both turned down, giving Australia precious breathing room.

Head reached his century in just 105 balls and kept pressing on with fluent strokeplay square of the wicket. The third-wicket stand with Neser frustrated England before Brydon Carse finally made the breakthrough, but by then the hosts had surged past 200.

Lunch – Australia 281/3

By lunch, Head had marched to 162, and Steven Smith had settled into his innings. The pitch was offering very little to the bowlers, and England were already beginning to look weary after long spells in the Sydney heat.

Afternoon – Smith Anchors, England Struggle

The post-lunch session belonged to Steven Smith. Calm, watchful and methodical, he rebuilt after the dismissal of Head for a brilliant 163 off 166 balls.

England took the second new ball at 80 overs, but it brought no immediate reward. Khawaja fell after a brief stay and Alex Carey departed cheaply, yet Smith kept the scoreboard ticking and soon raised his 50 from 95 balls.

At tea, Australia were 377/6 – already within touching distance of England’s total.

Evening – Smith’s Masterclass

The final session was all about Smith. Supported first by Cameron Green and later by Beau Webster, the Australian captain batted with supreme authority. His century came off 166 balls, greeted with a standing ovation from the SCG crowd.

Smith and Webster added an unbeaten 81-run stand to carry Australia beyond 500. The last ten overs produced 53 runs without loss, underlining England’s complete loss of control as the bowlers ran out of ideas.

Australia closed on 518/7 from 124 overs, scoring at an impressive 4.17 runs per over.

Key Performances – Australia

Travis Head – 163 (166 balls)
A brutal counter-attacking innings that set the tone for the day.

Steven Smith – 129 (205 balls)*
A classic Smith knock: patient, precise and utterly deflating for England.

Beau Webster – 42 (58 balls)*
Provided crucial late-order momentum.

England’s Bowling – A Day to Forget

Brydon Carse was the standout with 3 for 108, but there was little support. Matthew Potts leaked 141 runs, while England’s attack struggled to maintain discipline on a placid SCG surface.

Match Situation at Stumps – Day 3

Australia: 518/7 (124 overs)

Overall Lead: 134 runs

Steven Smith: 129*

Beau Webster: 42*

With Starc and Boland still to come, Australia are poised to push the lead well beyond 200 on the morning of Day 4.

What to Expect on Day 4

Australia will look to bat England completely out of the contest by extending their advantage quickly. England, already facing a significant deficit, desperately need early wickets to avoid an innings-long chase on a wearing Sydney pitch.

Right now, the momentum is firmly with the hosts – and unless England produce something extraordinary, the Ashes finale is slipping rapidly out of their grasp.