Fans erupted in frenzy as Travis Head‘s ferocious 91 not out overshadowed Joe Root‘s gritty 160 on a thrilling Day 2 of the 5th Ashes Test at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 4, 2026. Australia, already clinching the series 3-1, trail England‘s first innings 384 by 218 runs at 166/2 after 34.1 overs. The Pink Ashes finale delivered edge-of-seat drama with centuries contested and boundaries flying under Sydney skies.​

Joe Root’s resilient century takes England to a formidable total

England resumed at 211/3 with Root on 72 and Harry Brook on 78, building momentum on a batter-friendly pitch. Root anchored the innings masterfully, converting his overnight score into a majestic 160 off 242 balls with 15 fours, his 41st Test ton equalling Ricky Ponting‘s mark. He shared a crucial 169-run stand with Brook (84 off 97, 6×4, 1×6) before Brook fell to Scott Boland at 226/4, then added 94 with Jamie Smith (46, 6×4, 1×6) to push past 300 in 69.1 overs.​

Stokes (0) departed cheaply to Mitchell Starc soon after, but Root hit 150 off 226 balls amid partnerships like the 50-run seventh-wicket effort with Will Jacks (27). Michael Neser shone with 4/60, dismissing Root caught-and-bowled at 384/9, followed by Josh Tongue (0), as England folded in 97.3 overs at 3.93 RR. Boland (2/85) and Starc (2/93) supported, with surprise wickets from Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Greenhanding Australia a target to chase aggressively.​

Travis Head’s explosive counterattack puts Australia on the driving seat at the end of Day 2

Australia’s reply ignited with openers Head and Jake Weatherald racing to 57/0 in 12 overs, crossing 50 in 9.2 overs. Weatherald (21, 4×4) fell lbw to Stokes at 57/1, but Head’s onslaught—50 off 55 balls (9×4)—propelled a 105-run second wicket alliance with Labuschagne (48, 7×4). They hit 100 in 20.3 overs and 150 in 28.5, despite DRS drama including Weatherald’s review and England’s failed lbw call on Labuschagne.​

Stokes struck again, snaring Labuschagne at 162/2 in 30.6 overs, but unbeaten Head (91 off 87, 15×4, SR 104.59) dominated England’s attack. Matthew Potts leaked 58/0 in 7 overs, Brydon Carse 43/0 in 9, and Tongue 31/0 in 10, as Australia motored at 4.85 RR with 43/1 in last 10 overs. Rain and gloom ended play early, leaving Head poised to eclipse Root’s effort and tilt Day 3 decisively.

Here’s how fans reacted: