Australia’s ruthless batsmen inflicted further misery on England at the SCG on Tuesday, with Travis Head and Steve Smith posting sparkling centuries to push the home side closer to a 4-1 Ashes series victory.
Australia batted the entire day to reach 7-518 at stumps, opening up a lead of 134 runs, which could set a platform for a potential innings victory given England’s underwhelming batting throughout much of the series.
Head’s 163 was the seventh score of 150 or more in his Test career – his highest remaining the 175 he made against the West Indies in 2022 – while Smith (129 not out) brought up his fifth century at the SCG and his first since Australia’s clash with South Africa in January 2023.
Travis Head celebrates his century.Credit: Getty Images
Things became comical in the final half an hour when Smith, having watched a Matthew Potts bouncer sail well over his head, gestured wide to the umpire. It was duly called.
Earlier on Tuesday, Usman Khawaja perished for 17 in what could be his final Test innings if Australia surge past 550 and only bat once.
After a warm reception as he walked out to bat – shortly after Head was trapped lbw by part-timer Jacob Bethell, taking his series tally to 600 runs – Khawaja ticked the score over amid hopes of a fairytale finish to a stellar career.
Steve Smith reaches his own hundred.Credit: Getty Images
It was not to be as Khawaja reviewed an lbw decision off Brydon Carse to a full inswinger, with Australia burning a review that felt justified given the significance of the moment for the 89-Test stalwart, who announced his retirement before the match.
At 5-339 and trailing by 45 runs, England may have dared to dream of parity on first innings scores, but Smith had other ideas. He has stressed this SCG Test will not be his last, and he batted accordingly, crunching eight boundaries through point and cover in a masterclass of control.
Full report here.