The Ashes 2025-26: Steve Smith and Travis Head push England towards Sydney defeat
Head finally missed a sweep to be lbw off Jacob Bethell just after lunch, bringing Usman Khawaja to the crease for his final innings in Test cricket. Screens at the SCG read “Thank you Uzzy” in honor of the 39-year-old’s final Test before retirement.
Stokes’ own overs burned and he gave the second new ball to Carse and Potts but Carse at least pinned Khawaja lbw for 17.
After Tongue had Alex Carey caught at leg slip, Smith added 61 for the seventh wicket with Cameron Green.
It was Smith’s 37th Test hundred, his 13th in Ashes Tests and his first against England since the second Test at Lord’s in 2023. His signature moves were punctuated by opponent frustrations and sweet prods on the covers. He hit the left-arm spin of Bethell with two consecutive sixes.
By the time he hit 84, he had moved past Hobbs’ Ashes tally of 3,636 to move behind Bradman and then hit three figures with a three-figure racquet off Bethell.
Green headed to deep square leg to give Carse his third wicket of the day, but Australia’s long batting order saw all-rounder Beau Webster come on for nine to provide further support to Smith.
The eighth wicket pair added an unbroken 81, with Webster not out on 42. Potts was once again asked to perform a futile bouncer spell; maddening Smith was hitting tennis-style shots and giving the umpires a wide signal.
The ground emptied, Australia passed 500 and the Barmy Army chanted with boundless energy. Theirs was England’s most impressive performance of the time.
