🔗 Share this article

The cricketers are preparing to step onto the pitch for an extended first session that will last two and a half hours. Should Travis Head remain at the crease by the lunch break, Australia will be firmly in the driving seat.

A Pink Outpouring of Support

It’s Jane McGrath Day at the SCG, with everybody wearing pink in support of the McGrath Foundation. The occasion commemorates the foundation's commitment 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 exchanging remarks out in the middle with Marnus Labuschagne. Appearing to respond to a comment by Labuschagne, Stokes was audibly telling “shut the fuck up” at the end of the over. He subsequently approached and put an arm around his opponent’s shoulder to continue the exchange.

With the officials intervening, Stokes walked away following a brief pat. Under ICC regulations, the England captain could be reprimanded for “inappropriate physical contact”.

Questions Over Australia's Bowling Tactics

When Shane Warne called his biography No Spin, it wasn’t a recommendation. It's presumptuous to speak for the deceased, but his lifelong stance was unequivocal in backing his guild. Teams should always give themselves the option of spin bowling was his frequent argument.

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.

The hosts lacked that option. Their attack featured three specialist fast bowlers, two all-rounders used in puzzling roles and a sprinkle of part-time guff. They permitted England's batting to accelerate, with significant stands while Joe Root went on to his highest 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 coasting. It might have eased the burden to prevent Mitchell Starc from a taxing fourth spell.

Preamble: A Session of Significance

Greetings and welcome to our updates 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 feels flatter than the rest, largely due to the pre-series hype. Two dead rubbers? It defies our predictions ahead of the 2025-26 Ashes.

There isn’t even the jeopardy of a potential whitewash; the series will end either 4-1 or 3-2 to Australia. At this moment, 4-1 looks more likely. An underwhelming display with the ball from England let Australia race to 166 for two, a deficit of 218, in only 34.1 overs. Travis Head is 91 not out from 87 balls; the nightwatchman Michael Neser has scored a single from fifteen deliveries.

Neser was struck nastily on the elbow just before the close, a reminder that this pitch – though largely good for batting – is somewhat unpredictable. If England, particularly Matthew Potts, find their length this morning they could reignite the contest.

Regarding this specific game, the morning's play is vital. It’s just that the match isn’t as big as we hoped.