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The cricketers are preparing to step onto the pitch for an extended first session that will last two and a half hours. Should Travis Head remain at the crease by the lunch break, Australia will be strapped into the driving 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 charity's dedication to providing cancer support.

A fan dressed in all pink arrives at 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. England's captain concluded a annoying day's end in Sydney by swapping words out in the middle with Marnus Labuschagne. Appearing to respond to a comment by Labuschagne, Stokes was audibly telling “shut the fuck up” as the over concluded. He subsequently approached and put an arm around his opponent’s shoulder to continue the exchange.

As the umpires moved in, the England skipper departed after giving Labuschagne a squeeze. As per the ICC code of conduct, Stokes potentially faces sanction for “inappropriate physical contact”.

The Spin Debate Ignites Anew

When Shane Warne called his biography No Spin, it wasn’t a recommendation. Speaking for the dead is unacceptably presumptuous, but his record in life was loud and clear in backing his guild. Teams should always give themselves the option of spin bowling was his common contention.

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 permitted England's batting to accelerate, with substantial partnerships while Joe Root went on to his highest score in Australia of 160 and England their best total in the Ashes, 384.

It would have been helpful to turn to specialist spin when Root and Harry Brook were coasting. It might have eased the burden to prevent Mitchell Starc from a taxing 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, yet one cannot ignore the series finale atmosphere that has characterized this Test so far.

We’re used to anticlimactic final Tests, especially on Australian soil. This feels flatter than the rest, mainly because there was such expectation. Two inconsequential matches? It defies our predictions ahead of the 2025-26 Ashes.

The stakes are further reduced 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. An underwhelming display with the ball from England allowed Australia to charge to 166 for two, trailing by 218 runs, in only 34.1 overs. Travis Head is 91 not out from 87 balls; Michael Neser, who came in as nightwatchman 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. Should England's bowlers, namely Matthew Potts, discover the right length this morning they could reignite the contest.

Regarding this specific game, this is a big first session. It's simply that the fixture lacks the significance we anticipated.