{"id":33251,"date":"2026-01-06T07:47:52","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T11:47:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/eng-vs-aus-smith-overtakes-hobbs-as-australia-builds-134-run-lead-england-faces-historic-defeat\/"},"modified":"2026-01-06T07:47:52","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T11:47:52","slug":"10331-england-faces-australia-test-deficit-as-head-and-smith-centuries-give-aussies-13","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/10331-england-faces-australia-test-deficit-as-head-and-smith-centuries-give-aussies-13\/","title":{"rendered":"Eng vs Aus: Smith overtakes Hobbs as Australia builds 134-run lead, England faces historic defeat"},"content":{"rendered":"

Steve Smith<\/b> and Travis Head<\/b> struck centuries yesterday as Australia<\/b> took complete control of the fifth Ashes Test<\/b> at Sydney<\/b>, building a commanding 134-run lead<\/b> over England<\/b>. With both batters dropped multiple times, the hosts reached 518-7<\/b> at stumps on day three<\/b>, putting England in a desperate position.<\/p>\n

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\ud83d\udd25 Quick Facts<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Travis Head<\/b> scored 163 off 166 balls, his third century of the series<\/li>\n
  • Steve Smith<\/b> made an unbeaten 129, moving second on all-time Ashes run-scorer list behind Bradman<\/li>\n
  • Australia’s lead stands at 134 runs<\/b> after England was dismissed for 384<\/li>\n
  • Dropped catches<\/b> cost England dearly with 17 misses across the entire Ashes series<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

    Australia Takes Total Command on Day Three<\/h2>\n

    England faced a devastating day at the Sydney Cricket Ground<\/b> as Australia’s<\/b> batting lineup dismantled a weary attack. The visitors were in the contest overnight with Australia just 166-2<\/b> and trailing by 218 runs<\/b>, but by stumps the picture had changed completely.<\/p>\n

    Head<\/b> proved unstoppable on the morning, carrying his overnight score of 91<\/b> to 163<\/b> before falling just after lunch when he miscued a sweep shot to Jacob Bethell. His team-mates showed no mercy, with Smith<\/b> following suit to ensure Australia<\/b> established a dominant first-innings advantage.<\/p>\n

    The SCG<\/b> turned pink for the Jane McGrath Foundation<\/b>, and despite England’s<\/b> desperate bowling efforts, australia<\/b> batters showed ruthless control on a flat pitch. The hosts added crucial partnerships down the order, with Beau Webster<\/b> finishing on 42 not out<\/b> alongside Smith’s<\/b> unbeaten ton.<\/p>\n

    Head’s Third Century Powers Australia Forward<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Player<\/td>\nScore<\/td>\nBalls<\/td>\nStatus<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Travis Head<\/b><\/td>\n163<\/td>\n166<\/td>\nLBW Bethell<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Steve Smith<\/b><\/td>\n129*<\/td>\nTBA<\/td>\nNot out<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Michael Neser<\/b><\/td>\n24<\/td>\n90<\/td>\nCaught Carse<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Beau Webster<\/b><\/td>\n42*<\/td>\nTBA<\/td>\nNot out<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

    Head’s<\/b> innings was masterful, taking advantage of anything short or wide from england’s<\/b> attack. He was remarkably dropped three times during his knock\u2014a sitter at the boundary off Will Jacks<\/b>, a difficult diving chance, and a return catch off Jacks<\/b>\u2014yet managed to convert these let-offs into valuable runs.<\/p>\n

    His third century of the series moved him to 600 runs<\/b> in the Ashes, cementing his status as Australia’s<\/b> standout performer. The left-hander cracked boundaries at will, striking 15 fours<\/b> in an exhibition of attacking cricket that left England’s<\/b> bowlers helpless.<\/p>\n

    Smith Passes Hobbs in Historic Achievement<\/h2>\n

    Steve Smith<\/b> added class and durability to australia’s<\/b> innings with an unbeaten 129<\/b> that showcased his array of unconventional shots and movement. His century proved particularly significant as he overtook Jack Hobbs<\/b> to become the second-highest Ashes run-scorer of all time, behind only Donald Bradman’s<\/b> 5,028 runs<\/b>.<\/p>\n

    \n“It was nice batting out there, pretty good wicket,” Smith told Fox Sports after play. “Nice to come off the back of Travis Head. When you’re batting with him they forget about you a little bit.”\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Smith’s<\/b> 37th<\/b> Test century and 13th<\/b> in the Ashes featured his signature movements, frustrating the england<\/b> attack with drives through cover and striking two sixes off jacob bethell’s<\/b> left-arm spin. His ability to find gaps and construct partnerships kept australia<\/b> on course for a dominant finish to the Test.<\/p>\n

    England’s Dropped Catches Cost Dear in Sydney<\/h2>\n

    The tourists’ fielding woes continued on day three, with Will Jacks<\/b> responsible for two key drops off Head<\/b> and Zak Crawley<\/b> putting down Smith<\/b> early in the day. These misses proved costly as both australia’s<\/b> batters went on to post centuries.<\/p>\n

    Ben Stokes<\/b> was forced to bowl himself into the ground<\/b> trying to mask deficiencies in england’s<\/b> new-ball attack, with matthew potts<\/b> and brydon carse<\/b> struggling on the scg’s<\/b> flat pitch. England<\/b> have now missed 17 chances<\/b> across the entire series\u2014a stat that epitomizes their tour of despair.<\/p>\n

    What Comes Next for England in This Ashes Series?<\/h2>\n

    With a 134-run deficit<\/b>, england<\/b> face an uphill battle in their second innings. Australia<\/b> are on course for a 4-1 series victory<\/b>, which would intensify scrutiny on captain ben stokes<\/b>, head coach brendon mccullum<\/b>, and director of cricket rob key<\/b>.<\/p>\n

    Even a 3-2 defeat<\/b> would be a disappointing conclusion to Bazball<\/b>, the aggressive philosophy that has yielded few rewards in australia<\/b>. A 4-1 loss<\/b> could accelerate questions about the future direction of english<\/b> cricket under the current regime. England<\/b> must find some fight with the bat when they eventually come to bat, but australia’s<\/b> dominance suggests otherwise.<\/p>\n

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    Watch: Fifth Ashes Test Day Three Highlights<\/h3>\n