🔗 Share this article

The players are about to take the field for an lengthy first session scheduled to run for two and a half hours. If Travis Head is batting at lunch, Australia will be strapped into the commanding position.

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 providing cancer support.

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

A Heated Exchange Mars the Evening

The intent was unclear 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. Seemingly reacting to something said by Labuschagne, Stokes was heard saying “shut the fuck up” as the over concluded. He subsequently approached and placed a hand on the batsman's shoulder to prolong the conversation.

With the officials intervening, the England skipper departed after giving Labuschagne a squeeze. Under ICC regulations, Stokes potentially faces sanction 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 record in life was loud and clear in supporting fellow spinners. Sides should always retain a spin bowling option was his common contention.

Loyalty to a bowling type isn't the sole consideration. Former pace colleague Jason Gillespie had the same view observing the Sydney Test. “You need that variety,” he said on radio.

Australia didn’t have it. Their attack featured a trio of pace specialists, a couple of curiously employed all-rounders 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 could have been advantageous to introduce a specialist spinner when Root and Harry Brook were coasting. It would have been helpful to save Mitchell Starc from bowling a fourth spell.

Setting the Scene for Day Three

Hello and welcome to live coverage of day three at the SCG. A crucial morning session awaits, but it’s impossible to escape the series finale atmosphere that has pervaded this Test so far.

Final Ashes Tests often prove anticlimactic, especially on Australian soil. This one seems particularly subdued, mainly because there was such expectation. Two dead rubbers? It’s not what we thought when we were imagining 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. Right here, right now, 4-1 looks more likely. An underwhelming display with the ball from England allowed Australia to charge to 166 for two, a deficit of 218, in only 34.1 overs. Travis Head is 91 not out from 87 balls; Michael Neser, who came in as nightwatchman has scored a single from fifteen deliveries.

Neser received a painful blow to the elbow just before the close, a reminder that this pitch – though generally batsman-friendly – is somewhat unpredictable. If England, particularly Matthew Potts, find their length this morning they can force their way back into the game.

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