🔗 Share this article

The cricketers are preparing to step onto the pitch for an lengthy first session scheduled to run for two and a half hours. Should Travis Head remain at the crease by the lunch break, Australia will be strapped into the driving seat.

A Sea of Pink for a Cause

The SCG is observing Jane McGrath Day today, with everybody wearing pink in support of the McGrath Foundation. The occasion commemorates the charity's dedication to offering support for cancer patients.

A supporter clad entirely in pink makes their way into the Sydney Cricket Ground.

A Heated Exchange Mars the Evening

It was hard to know whether it was a message to Australia or his own bowlers. Ben Stokes signed off a frustrating second evening in Sydney by swapping words out in the middle with Marnus Labuschagne. Seemingly reacting to something said by Labuschagne, Stokes was heard saying “shut the fuck up” at the end of the over. He subsequently approached and placed a hand on the batsman's shoulder to prolong the conversation.

With the officials intervening, Stokes walked away after giving Labuschagne a squeeze. As per the ICC code of conduct, Stokes potentially faces sanction for “inappropriate physical contact”.

The Spin Debate Ignites Anew

When Shane Warne called his biography No Spin, it wasn’t a recommendation. Speaking for the dead is unacceptably presumptuous, but his record in life was loud and clear in backing his guild. Sides should always retain a spin bowling option was his common contention.

Nor is allegiance of style the only factor. His old teammate Jason Gillespie had the same view observing the Sydney Test. “You need that variety,” he stated during commentary.

Australia didn’t have it. Their attack featured a trio of pace specialists, two all-rounders used in puzzling roles and a sprinkle of part-time guff. They permitted England's batting to accelerate, with substantial partnerships while Joe Root compiled his top score in Australia of 160 and England their best total in the Ashes, 384.

It would have been helpful to turn to specialist spin when Root and Harry Brook were settling in. It might have eased the burden to prevent Mitchell Starc from a taxing fourth spell.

Setting the Scene for Day Three

Hello and welcome to live coverage of the third day's play in Sydney. There’s a big first session coming, yet one cannot ignore the end-of-term feeling that has characterized this Test so far.

We’re used to anticlimactic final Tests, particularly when England play in Australia. This one seems particularly subdued, mainly because there was such expectation. Two dead rubbers? It’s not what we thought ahead of the 2025-26 Ashes.

There isn’t even the jeopardy of a possible series sweep; the series will end either 4-1 or 3-2 to Australia. At this moment, a 4-1 scoreline appears probable. A poor bowling performance from England allowed Australia to charge to 166 for two, trailing by 218 runs, in only 34.1 overs. Travis Head is 91 not out from 87 balls; Michael Neser, who came in as nightwatchman has 1 from 15.

Neser received a painful blow to the elbow near the end of play, highlighting that the surface – though generally batsman-friendly – is on the capricious side. If England, particularly Matthew Potts, find their length this morning they could reignite the contest.

Regarding this specific game, this is a big first session. It's simply that the fixture lacks the significance we anticipated.