A dominant, unbeaten innings from Travis Head has put Australia firmly in the driver's seat after a compelling second day of the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Head's aggressive 91 not out came in response to a masterful century from England's Joe Root, setting up a thrilling finale to the series.
Root's Red-Ball Redemption in Sydney
Joe Root finally scored his first Test century on Australian soil, and it was a knock of immense quality and importance. Coming to the crease with England in deep trouble at 3-57, Root displayed remarkable serenity and technical excellence. He played the ball exceptionally late to negate the movement, compiling a chanceless innings that held his team together through two separate collapses.
He was particularly proud of this century, having expressed reservations about pink-ball Tests before the series began in Brisbane. Root's epic 150 was the backbone of England's first innings, and he was only dismissed by a magnificent caught and bowled effort from Michael Neser.
Neser's Crucial Intervention and Head's Assault
With England at 6-375 and Root looking set to push the total beyond 400, Queensland allrounder Michael Neser produced a match-turning spell. In a devastating 3.3 over burst, Neser claimed 3-5, including the vital wicket of Root and the tailender Josh Tongue two balls later. He finished with excellent figures of 4-60, restricting England to a manageable total and proving his immense value to the Australian attack.
In reply, Travis Head picked up where he left off earlier in the series, launching a brutal assault on England's bowlers. He feasted on a buffet of short and wide bowling, racing to 91 not out from just 87 balls by stumps. Head has now passed 500 runs for the series at a stunning average of 66 and a strike rate over 80, eyeing a third century of the campaign.
Missed Opportunities and Costly Errors
The day was not without its frustrations, particularly for England and their young wicketkeeper, Jamie Smith. Smith's difficult series hit a new low just before lunch. After receiving a life off a Cameron Green no-ball, he played what commentator Justin Langer labelled "one of the dumbest shots you'll ever see in Test cricket," holing out to cover off the part-time bowling of Marnus Labuschagne.
England's new-ball bowling was also heavily criticised, repeating a familiar failing from this series. Matthew Potts was the main offender, leaking runs at over eight an over as the bowlers consistently dropped too short, allowing Australia's openers to canter along at more than five runs per over. It was once again left to captain Ben Stokes to apply the brakes.
For Australia, Cameron Green's tough tour continued. He bowled a costly spell on day one and, despite an improved start on day two, saw a potential wicket cancelled by a no-ball and an edge dropped at slip in an over that summed up his frustrating campaign.
At stumps on January 5, 2026, Australia are well placed in their first innings, with Head poised for another century and the momentum firmly back with the home side after a day of dramatic ebbs and flows at the SCG.
