Head and Smith centuries put Australia ahead in Sydney Ashes Test

Travis Head (163) and Steven Smith (129 not out) powered Australia to 518/7 at stumps on Day 3 of the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney. England trail by 134 runs after Joe Root’s 160 lifted them to 384 in the first innings

Sydney: Travis Head (163) and Steven Smith (129 not out) guided Australia to take control of the fifth Ashes Test as the hosts reached 518/7 at stumps on Day 3, taking a 134-run lead over England at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

In response to England’s 384 first-innings score, Head proved imperious at the top of the order once more, bringing up his 12th Test century at close to a run a ball. Head resumed on 91 at the beginning of day three alongside Michael Neser, who survived the final session of day two in support of Smith.

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Neser survived a reviewed English appeal for caught behind before Head brought up three figures soon after with a push to the off-side for four. The breakthrough for England came after 90 minutes when Brydon Carse had Neser caught for 24.

Smith then joined Head, who reached 162 when lunch was called. England had two more opportunities in the last two overs of the session, but both difficult chances were missed. As a result, Australia added 115 runs for the loss of just one wicket in the first session.

After lunch, Head added just one before being dismissed by England’s spin-bowling all-rounder Jacob Bethell in the third over. The opener departed to a standing ovation, having reached 600 runs for the series, before Australia steadily moved ahead.

Khawaja then joined Smith. Playing his final Test match, Khawaja made 17 and stitched a 51-run stand with the stand-in skipper before falling to Carse. Alex Carey came out aggressively but was dismissed for the third time in this series by a leg-stump trap.

Cameron Green looked in solid touch but lost his wicket at 37 attempting an aerial pull shot. Beau Webster batted confidently and built an 81-run eighth-wicket partnership with Smith, who scored his 37th Test century and his first in this series. By stumps, Smith remained unbeaten on 129 and Webster was batting at 48 as Australia took a 134-run lead.

Brief Scores: England 384 (Joe Root 160, Harry Brook 84; Michael Neser 4/60, Scott Boland 2/85) trail Australia 518/7 (Travis Head 163, Steven Smith 129*; Brydon Carse 3/108, Ben Stokes 2/87) by 134 runs.