Travis Head scored his third century of ‍the series as Australia reached 281 ​for three in reply to ‌England’s 384 at lunch ​on the third day of the fifth Ashes test at Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday (January 6, 2026).

Opener Head was 162 not out at the break and will resume ​with skipper Steve Smith, who ⁠was unbeaten on 16, looking to cut further into the 103-run deficit.

Head ​earlier crunched the ⁠ball through the covers for four off the 105th delivery he faced for his 12th test ‌century before raising his helmet ‌aloft on the handle of his bat.

He was ‍dropped on the boundary by Will Jacks on 121.

England burned ‍their final DRS review in a bid to remove nightwatchman Michael Neser lbw, only for the video to confirm the impact of Brydon Carse’s delivery was outside the line.

Carse finally got ⁠Neser out for 24 off 90 balls with an ​outswinger that induced an edge behind.

Australia, who started the day on 166-2, lead the series 3-1 and have already ensured they will retain the Ashes ⁠urn.

England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected ‍to bat first on the opening day ​of the fifth Ashes test against ‌Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground ​on Sunday (January 4, 2026).

Neither team selected a specialist spinner, with England bringing seamer Matthew Potts into the side in place of the injured Gus Atkinson and Shoaib Bashir missing out again.

Australia all-rounder Beau Webster ​will also play his first match ⁠of the series after replacing quick Jhye Richardson in the team. Off-spinner Todd Murphy was named ​12th man.

Australia lead ⁠the series 3-1 and have already ensured they will retain the Ashes urn.

The action will start under sunny skies ‌but there is a chance of ‌some stormy weather after lunch.

The match was preceded by a ceremony honouring first ‍responders and “community members who acted bravely” during the attack by gunmen which killed ‍15 people at a Jewish event at nearby Bondi Beach on December 14.

The unusually high level of security for the match was evident outside the ground with riot police observing the crowd as they entered the venue.

Teams

Australia: Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (captain), Usman Khawaja, ​Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Michael ⁠Neser, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland.

England: Ben Stokes (captain), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie ⁠Smith, Josh Tongue