Head hits back after Root 160 in Ashes finale

Australia opener Travis Head hit back with a majestic innings of his own after England’s Joe Root struck 160 on the second day of the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney.
Root’s masterclass lifted England to a competitive 384 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, but Head capitalised on some woeful bowling to race to an unbeaten 91 from 87 balls. Australia reached 166 for 2 after 34.1 overs, reducing the deficit to 218.
Earlier, England lost 7 for 158, including a final collapse of 5 for 61, sparked by Jamie Smith’s horrific dismissal.
Smith, who had been caught off a no-ball and benefited from other moments of fortune during a skittish 46, played a truly awful shot to be caught off part-time medium-pacer Marnus Labuschagne.
On a pitch that offered more for the bowlers on Monday, England’s total felt around par, but Australia’s batters made rapid inroads, helped by a toothless attack and two dropped catches.
With new-ball bowlers Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts leaking runs, Jake Weatherald was put down twice as he and Head added 50 in just 9.2 overs.
It took the belated introduction of captain Ben Stokes to trap Weatherald lbw. Head then shared another 105-run stand with Labuschagne before Stokes and Labuschagne exchanged words. The England captain eventually drew an edge to gully to dismiss Labuschagne for 48.
Head remains at the crease and is on course for his third century of the series. Of equal concern for England was the fitness of Root, though his late spell off the field was later explained as back cramp.
Despite the hype, this has been a poor Ashes series, low on quality, individual brilliance, and magic moments.
The second day of the finale reflected that trend. Root and Head stood head and shoulders above the rest, Michael Neser took 4 for 60 in an improved Australian bowling effort, but England were slapdash with the ball and Smith’s dismissal was atrocious.
Even Australia’s tactical plan raised eyebrows. Labuschagne, who had never previously taken a Test wicket with his seam bowling, operated with seven fielders on the boundary for gentle bouncers.
Still, Smith continued his miserable tour, flashing a forehand to Scott Boland at deepish cover — a dismissal that encapsulated the carelessness that has so often cost this England side.
Only three teams have made more than England’s 384 when batting first in a Test at this ground and gone on to lose, and the pitch is already showing signs of uneven bounce.
Australia, however, have the prolific Head, the opportunity to overhaul England’s total on Tuesday, and the chance to pressure fragile visitors in the third innings.
Head’s elevation to open in the second innings of the first Test in Perth was the defining moment of the series, and the left-hander is feasting on England’s bowling once again.
Somehow, England continue to feed his strength outside off stump. Arguably, neither Carse nor Potts — the latter playing his first Test in over a year — should have opened the bowling, and they allowed Australia to fly out of the blocks.
To be fair, both bowlers had Weatherald dropped. Root parried a tough high edge at first slip off Potts when Weatherald was on nine, then Ben Duckett shelled a more straightforward chance at mid-wicket off Carse when he had 14.
Stokes, introduced in the 11th over, ensured neither miss proved too costly. With his eighth delivery, he trapped Weatherald playing all around a full ball.
After Stokes’ intervention, Labuschagne settled into Head’s slipstream. Head carved through the off side while Labuschagne clipped and drove. Clouds gathered, Potts’ economy rate ballooned beyond eight an over.
As the umpires discussed the light, Stokes and Labuschagne exchanged words. Play continued, Stokes struck again, and Head slowed to leave an overnight wait for his century.
Root has been feast or famine in this series. Before this Test, his century in Brisbane was one of only two occasions he passed 20. In Sydney — the city where he was dropped for the only time in his Test career and once batted himself into hospital in extreme heat — the former captain was outstanding.
Without Root, England would have squandered their promising overnight position of 211 for 3. Harry Brook poked limply at Scott Boland to be caught at slip for 84, and Stokes edged a beauty from Mitchell Starc for an 11-ball duck, as England lost 2 for 3 in four overs.
Smith’s 94-run stand with Root was valuable, but the wicketkeeper was fortunate to last as long as he did. He was caught off a Cameron Green no-ball on 22, then edged and miscued the same bowler. His dismissal to Labuschagne’s bouncer plan with the second new ball approaching was an appalling piece of cricket.
By then, Root had reached three figures from his overnight 72. After edging Neser over the slips on 94, he drove the same bowler straight down the ground to join Ricky Ponting on 41 Test centuries — with only Sachin Tendulkar and Jacques Kallis ahead of him. He celebrated with the same trademark shrug seen in Brisbane.
Root continued, adding 52 for the seventh wicket with Will Jacks, and passed 150 for the 17th time in Tests — a feat achieved by only four other players.
Eventually, Root offered a leading edge to a diving Neser in the bowler’s follow-through as England collapsed with 4 wickets for 9 runs. After carrying the batting, it was perhaps no surprise he later experienced discomfort in his back. (BBC)