SCG Test day three as it happened: Head, Smith centuries put Australia in control

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.

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.

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.

That’s it for the blog today but hey, only about 15 hours until the next one starts!

First ball at the SCG on Wednesday is once again slated for 10am, when Smith and Webster will attempt to build on Australia’s lead as much as humanly possible. They also might try to bat for as long as humanly possible, given the lack of spinners in their arsenal.

Plenty of reading on the website between now and then, if you simply cannot wait. Otherwise, catch you again from 9.15am.

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.

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.

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.

Even on a day when they started half an hour earlier and, of course, played the extra 30 minutes in the final session, we didn’t get the regulation 90 overs let alone the minimum of 98 to make up for the rain on the first day. OK, we got 89.5 overs, which is as good as 90, but it shows you the days of 90 overs in the regulation six hours plus 30 minutes is an unrealistic aim.

Australia are firmly in control. If there was any question about that at the start of day three, we have dispensed with such questions.

Jacks is bowling the last over. There’s a mix-up on the first ball when Webster, who has directed his shot to backward point and wants to go for a third run, has to suddenly turn around and retreat after Smith slips. He makes it to safety.

From there it’s four dot balls before two runs to finish.

Jacks spins in and the ball whacks his pads. It looks initially like it might be, but there’s so much spin on it and the on-field umpire must believe this too because he shakes his head without flinching.

Both Webster and Smith add to their boundaries in the next over as Tongue tries and fails to claim a much-needed wicket before stumps. The single sandwiched between them brings up 500 for Australia. It’s probably the score England should have had heading into Australia’s innings.

But what do you do? If you’re Tongue, you end your over with a bouncer that has Smith ducking for cover.

Shade is creeping over one side of the SCG pitch now.

Australia 7-504 (Smith 128, Webster 29) after 121 overs

Glenice Bryant lined up at Gate E of the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday as one of the shortest in a pack of identically dressed fans.

She would have been easy to miss if not for the custom pink and purple jerseys she and her daughter Jodie wore – the colours signifying breast cancer, which the 68-year-old has survived, and pancreatic cancer, for which she is currently undergoing treatment.

All the colour of the day can be read here.

Carse has been motoring on, doing his best to dislodge the man ruining England’s chances at winning this Test and reclaiming some pride. He takes a break, it seems, to make way for Potts.

Smith, too, is continuing unabated (save for the odd dig at security with each new distraction). On strike and facing Potts, with a spread field, he pops a short delivery higher than he’d like and it glides invitingly towards third man. Only to land short. Lucky.

Australia 7-463 (Smith 110, Webster 9) after 113 overs