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The cricketers are preparing to step onto the pitch for an extended 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 firmly in the box seat.

A Pink Outpouring of Support

The SCG is observing Jane McGrath Day today, with everybody wearing pink in support of the McGrath Foundation. The day honors 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 swapping words out in the middle with Marnus Labuschagne. Appearing to respond to a comment by Labuschagne, Stokes was heard saying “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.

As the umpires moved in, Stokes walked away after giving Labuschagne a squeeze. As per the ICC code of conduct, Stokes potentially faces sanction for making improper 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. Former pace colleague Jason Gillespie echoed the sentiment 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, two all-rounders used in puzzling roles and some token part-time bowling. They had an England innings that was allowed to pull away, with substantial partnerships while Joe Root compiled his highest score in Australia of 160 and England their best total in the Ashes, 384.

It would have been helpful to introduce a specialist spinner when Root and Harry Brook were settling in. It would have been helpful to save Mitchell Starc from bowling a fourth spell.

Setting the Scene for Day Three

Greetings and welcome to our updates of the third day's play in Sydney. There’s a big first session coming, but it’s impossible to escape the end-of-term feeling that has characterized this Test so far.

Final Ashes Tests often prove anticlimactic, particularly when England play in Australia. This feels flatter than the rest, mainly because there was such expectation. Two inconsequential matches? It defies our predictions when we were imagining the 2025-26 Ashes.

There isn’t even the jeopardy of a possible series sweep; the outcome will be either 4-1 or 3-2 to Australia. At this moment, 4-1 looks more likely. A poor bowling performance from England let Australia race to 166 for two, trailing by 218 runs, in only 34.1 overs. Travis Head is unbeaten on 91 from 87 balls; the nightwatchman Michael Neser has 1 from 15.

Neser was struck nastily on the elbow just before the close, highlighting that the surface – though generally batsman-friendly – 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.