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Old guard Joe Root scored his 41st Test ton but Ben Stokes' England loosened their grip over the Sydney Test as usual suspect Travis Head launched another brutal onslaught in the Ashes 2025-26. Root's 160 helped England post 384 on the board but Australia reduced the deficit rapidly in the third session, scoring at nearly five runs per over with Head walking back to the dressing room unbeaten for 91.
Ton-up Root lacks support as England repeat old mistakes
Starting at an overnight score of 211/3, Harry Brook lost his wicket early. Scott Boland got him caught at first slip by skipper Steve Smith. Brook scored 84 runs from 97 balls. He shared a 171-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Root.
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Skipper Stokes could not make an impact with the bat. He edged one to wicketkeeper Alex Carey off Mitchell Starc's bowling and departed for an 11-ball duck. This was the 14th time Stokes was dismissed by Starc, most by any bowler in international cricket.
Jamie Smith batted in his typical fashion, living dangerously. Meanwhile, Root got to his 41st Test ton, levelling with former Australia captain Ricky Ponting. Before the new ball was due, Smith rolled the dice by giving the ball to an eager Marnus Labuschagne. The wicketkeeper went for a big shot and got caught by Boland in the deep on the off-side. He departed for a 76-ball 46. At the end of first session, England were 336/6.
Root goes past 150 but England tail doesn’t wag
In the second session, Root got to his 150 from 226 balls. Will Jacks could not convert the start into a big score. He got caught at gully off Cameron Green's bowling. The all-rounder scored 27 runs from 62 balls. In his next over, Green got the wicket of Brydon Carse. The tail did not wag and Root had a lapse of concentration. Michael Neser took an excellent catch off his own bowling to see the back of Root. He scored 160 runs from 242 deliveries, including 15 fours. Two balls later, he knocked over Josh Tongue for a two-ball duck as England were bowled out for 384 in 97.3 overs.
Stokes strikes but Head dominates England pacers again
Jake Weatherald did not look in control and had a few reprieves early on in the innings. On the other end, Head did what he does. The in-form batter found boundaries with ease. The partnership was broken by skipper Stokes as he trapped Weatherald in front of the wickets. The opener scored 21 runs from 36 balls. In the 18th over, Head got to his half-century from 55 balls.
Labuschagne and Head preyed on England bowlers not being consistent enough. Head thrived on chaos whereas Labuschagne operated under the radar. Once again, Stokes broke the partnership after a heated altercation with Labuschagne in-between overs. He edged one to Jacob Bethell at gully and missed his fifty by just two runs. Labuschagne and Head put on 105 runs from the second wicket.
Injury scare for Neser, Head unbeaten in 90s
Neser walked out to bat as nightwatchman. He was troubled by the bounce as visibility got poor. On the first ball of the 35th over by Stokes, Neser was hit on the right arm. He needed medical attention on the field. Meanwhile, rain played spoilsport and play did not resume on Day 2. Australia were 166/2 at the end of Day 2's play. Head remained unbeaten for 91 off 87 balls, including 15 fours. The hosts still trail by 218 runs and will look to take a first innings lead with plenty of batting to come.
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