Australia seized control of the fifth Ashes Test on Monday in Sydney, piling up 518 for seven to secure a first-innings lead of 134 as Travis Head’s 163 and an unbeaten century from Steve Smith punished a weary England attack.
Already 3–1 up in the series and with the urn secured, Australia turned the third day at the Sydney Cricket Ground into a display of batting depth and patience on the most forgiving surface of the summer. Smith finished 129 not out alongside Beau Webster, who closed on 42, after England struggled to extract anything from a pitch that flattened further under blazing sunshine.
Head set the tone early. Resuming on 91 with Australia 166 for two, he immediately targeted the old ball, driving and pulling with the authority that has defined his move to the top of the order. His hundred came off just 105 balls, his third century of the series, punched through the covers before a brief salute to the crowd as Australia cruised to lunch at 281 for three.
England found brief relief through Brydon Carse, who dismissed nightwatchman Michael Neser for 24 after a 90-ball resistance, but not before a final DRS review was wasted. That wicket brought Smith to the crease, and he and Head added 54 for the fourth wicket to further tilt the game.
Head’s innings ended on 163 when he attempted to sweep Jacob Bethell’s part-time spin, having earlier been dropped on 121 by Will Jacks on the boundary. By then, the damage was done.
There was a more subdued moment for Usman Khawaja, greeted warmly by the home crowd in what is expected to be his final Test. He made 17 before falling to a full toss, while Alex Carey contributed 16 as England briefly enjoyed movement with the second new ball.
Smith, though, remained immovable. He brought up his 50 for the 45th time in Tests and later reached three figures for the 13th time in Ashes cricket, a milestone that also took him past former greats to become the second-highest run-scorer in the history of the contest.
By tea, Australia were only seven runs adrift of England’s 384 and soon moved comfortably ahead. Cameron Green added a valuable 37 in a seventh-wicket stand of 71 with Smith before a miscued shot looped to Ben Duckett at square leg.
England’s bowlers toiled without respite, none more so than Matthew Potts, who conceded 141 runs from 25 overs in his first appearance of the series as the shine disappeared from the ball and the pitch offered little in return.
With Smith set and Australia well clear, the match appears firmly in the hosts’ grasp as they look to close out the series in commanding fashion.
