Head and Smith batter England with ruthless displays
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.
Steve Smith after reaching 100 at the SCG.Credit: Getty Images
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.
If, by chance, he never walks onto the SCG again for Australia, the 46,161 fans in attendance will long remember the clinic they witnessed as Smith brought up Test century No.37 and his 13th against England.
That tally leaves him sixth on the all-time list, one behind Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara (38) and four adrift of Ricky Ponting’s 41. Smith also went past Jack Hobbs into second place on the list for most Ashes runs, still behind Sir Donald Bradman.
Cam Green showed a level of confidence and composure not seen earlier in the series, belting a hook shot into the Brewongle Stand to raise hopes of a breakthrough knock on home soil.
But on 37, a Green pull shot failed to clear the rope, and he was caught by Ben Duckett, raising further questions about his place in the side.
Beau Webster (42 not out) chipped in with an entertaining cameo at No.9 - given Michael Neser was deployed as nightwatchman on day two - in his first Test innings since Australia’s tour of the Caribbean. It was a strong message to selectors given Green’s issues this summer.
Smith and Webster’s unbeaten partnership of 81 sets up Australia perfectly for day four against a tired England attack who look like they can’t wait to get home.
