Full Match Highlights | Australia vs England, 5th Test, Day 3, The Ashes 2025/26
Full Match Highlights | Australia vs England, 5th Test, Day 3, The Ashes 2025/26
Day 3 of the final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground delivered one of the most gripping and dominant performances of the series, as Australia tightened their grip on the match through sheer brilliance from skipper Steve Smith, explosive stroke-play from Travis Head, and resilient support from Beau Webster. The hosts finished the day in a commanding position, surpassing the 500-run mark and pushing England deep onto the back foot heading into Day 4.
Steve Smith's Masterclass: Century No. 37 — and No. 12 in the Ashes
The headline of the day belonged to Steve Smith, who produced yet another iconic innings at the SCG. Smith demonstrated exceptional composure and technical excellence, marching to 129 at stumps, registering:
His 37th Test hundred
His 12th Ashes century
His 5th century at the SCG
And passing legends such as Greg Chappell on the all-time charts
Smith began cautiously but accelerated as the innings wore on, stitching crucial partnerships throughout the middle order. His trademark resilience shone through as he weathered England's short-ball tactics, uneven bounce, and long spells of pressure bowling. By the end of Day 3, Smith stood tall as the immovable pillar of Australia's innings, guiding them into a match-defining lead.
Travis Head's Blistering 163: A Statement Innings
Before Smith stole the spotlight, the day began in thrilling fashion with Travis Head lighting up the SCG. His blistering 163 off 166 balls was an exhibition of fearless batting — aggressive, precise, and relentless. Head punished every loose delivery, survived a few close calls, and once again proved why he has been Australia's most dangerous Ashes batter this series, surpassing 600 runs.
Key features of his knock included:
Dominating short-pitch bowling
Clean, powerful strokeplay
Turning missed English chances into maximum momentum
Even after his dismissal to Jacob Bethell, Head's innings had already inflicted massive damage, setting up Australia for a commanding total.
Beau Webster's Composed Support and Half-Century
Where Head brought the fireworks and Smith brought the mastery, Beau Webster brought calm control. His unbeaten 42 at stumps marked a mature and valuable contribution. With Smith, he added an 83-run unbeaten stand, handling pressure situations with poise and keeping Australia's lead climbing well past 150.
Webster's innings included elegant drives, confident pulls, and strong defensive discipline, underlining why he is quickly becoming one of the most reliable lower-order batters in the Australian side.
England's Endless Toil and Limited Reward
Despite admirable effort, England's bowlers struggled to break through Australia's relentless batting:
Brydon Carse claimed two wickets and created multiple chances
Youngster Jacob Bethell picked up his first Test wicket
Josh Tongue produced hostile spells and dismissed Smith late in the day — but only after the damage was done
However, crucial dropped catches, inconsistent lengths, and the sheer quality of Australia's batting lineup left England chasing the game. The injury scare to skipper Ben Stokes further complicated their challenge.
Australia Past 500 — and Into Complete Control
Australia ended Day 3 with tremendous momentum, crossing the 500-run milestone in style as Webster guided a late edge for two. With Smith unbeaten and the partnership flourishing, Australia built a formidable lead that now places them firmly in the driver's seat of the final Test.
With England's second innings already under pressure from the first, the task ahead on Day 4 is monumental. The pitch has begun showing signs of wear — uneven bounce, grip for the spinners, and increasing movement for seamers — all of which favour Australia's bowling attack as they look to close out the series with authority.