England’s disastrous Ashes campaign is edging closer to a humiliating finale after a dominant third day of the Fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where Steve Smith and Travis Head dismantled a faltering English side with ruthless precision.

Australia closed day three on 518-7, holding a commanding 134-run lead, and are firmly on course to seal a 4-1 Ashes series victory. Smith remained unbeaten on 129, while Head’s blistering 163 laid the platform for Australia’s dominance.

---

England Squander Chances as Smith and Head Capitalise

What made Australia’s stranglehold on the match even more painful for England was that both Smith and Head were handed lifelines during a chaotic opening session. England’s fielding failures, a recurring theme throughout the tour, again proved costly.

• Will Jacks dropped Travis Head on 121 at the boundary
• Zak Crawley spilled a leg-slip chance when Smith was still on 12

Across the series, England have now missed 17 catching opportunities, an alarming statistic that reflects the wider decline of their Ashes campaign.

Smith and Head punished every error, steadily draining the confidence of England’s bowlers and fielders under the pink-themed SCG stands marking Jane McGrath Day.

---

Steve Smith Etches Name Deeper into Ashes History

Smith’s century was not just match-defining—it was historic. The Australian great overtook Sir Jack Hobbs to become the second-highest run-scorer in Ashes history, trailing only Sir Donald Bradman.

Key milestones from Smith’s innings:

• 37th Test century
• 13th Ashes hundred
• First Ashes century against England since Lord’s 2023

Smith’s knock was vintage: eccentric movements, relentless concentration, and exquisite cover drives. He twice launched left-arm spinner Jacob Bethell straight down the ground for six, further demoralising England’s attack.

---

Travis Head’s Series-Defining Dominance Continues

Travis Head resumed day three on 91 and wasted no time asserting control. His third century of the series came with trademark aggression, feasting on loose bowling and wide deliveries.

Head’s innings was a perfect storm for England:

• Flat SCG pitch
• Inexperienced English attack
• Missed chances compounding pressure

Though eventually dismissed lbw by Bethell shortly after lunch, Head had already inflicted irreversible damage, ensuring Australia would bat England out of the contest.

---

England’s Bowlers Overworked and Overmatched

Captain Ben Stokes once again pushed himself to exhaustion, bowling extended spells in an attempt to compensate for the lack of penetration from Matthew Potts and Brydon Carse. While Carse finished with respectable figures of 3-108, the workload and lack of support told its own story.

England began the day with Australia 218 runs behind, but by stumps they were staring at a sizeable deficit that barely captures the one-sided nature of proceedings.

---

Pressure Mounts on England Leadership and ‘Bazball’ Era

With the Ashes already lost inside three Tests, England’s management had hoped to salvage pride. A 4-1 defeat, however, would intensify scrutiny on:

• Captain Ben Stokes
• Head coach Brendon McCullum
• Director of cricket Rob Key

What once promised an aggressive “Bazball” revolution now risks ending in Sydney, possibly as early as day four, if England fail to mount a miraculous second-innings resistance.

---

Australia’s Depth Rubs Salt in English Wounds

Australia’s batting depth further underlined the gulf between the sides. After Cameron Green fell, Beau Webster arrived at number nine and compiled an unbeaten 42, adding an unbroken 81-run stand with Smith.

As Australia passed 500, the SCG crowd thinned, while the Barmy Army sang relentlessly—ironically the most spirited English performance of the day.

---

Match Situation at a Glance

Fifth Ashes Test – Day Three

• England: 384
• Australia: 518-7
• Australia lead by 134 runs
• Series score (current): Australia lead 3-1

England now face a daunting task to avoid a fourth defeat in a deeply disappointing Ashes tour.