Head, Smith power Australia to 567, lead England by 183 at SCG
Head, Smith power Australia to 567, lead England by 183 at SCG
Australia build a 183-run lead at the SCG as Head's 163 and Smith's 138 drive a strong reply to England’s 384; Stokes limps off, and Duckett edges England closer.
Australia declared 567 all out at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with Travis Head smashing 163 and Steve Smith 138 in reply to England’s 384. England’s reply began shakily as captain Ben Stokes limped from the field and Zak Crawley was dismissed in the first over of the second innings, lbw to Mitchell Starc. Duckett then anchored an optimistic counter, making 40 and sharing a 76-run stand with Jacob Bethell, who was 28 not out at lunch as England reached 80-1.
England’s morning had a taste of hope, but Australia’s bowlers maintained the pressure. A short-ball barrage saw Bethell briefly ducking at a 140 kph delivery from Cameron Green that glanced his helmet before skimming to four leg-byes. England’s resistance faded after lunch, the tourists slipping to 4-1 and then losing the last three wickets for 49 as Australia took the session and the day with a 183-run advantage.
At the same time, Smith’s run-scoring milestone continued, with the century pushing him to become the second-highest run-scorer in Ashes history, behind Don Bradman. England still faced a daunting chase, with 103 needed to make Australia bat again, and the final day promises to deliver another tense finish at SCG.
