Joe Root anchored England’s first innings with a superb 160 on day two of the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney – his second hundred of the series after an unbeaten 138 during the second Test in Brisbane.
The tourists were eventually dismissed for 384 at the SCG before Australia ended the day on 166-2, with Travis Head at the crease on 91 and the hosts still 218 runs adrift.
England’s efforts with the bat also featured a notably ill-judged shot from Jamie Smith, one that led to his untimely dismissal and sparked widespread criticism.
Ton up for Root
Root’s latest century draws him level with Australian great Ricky Ponting on 41 Test hundreds, leaving the 35-year-old behind only South Africa’s Jacques Kallis (45) and India’s Sachin Tendulkar (50) in the history books.
“One thing I always try and look at is opportunity. I don’t know how many opportunities I’m going to get to come back to Australia,” Root told reporters at the close of play.
“Obviously, last week was great to win at the MCG, and I guess that presented another opportunity here this week to try and help us get in a position of strength within this game early on.
“I want to try and replicate that feeling last week for the group.
“For a lot of this squad, it is the first time they’ve been out here, so if they’ve got good memories and we can find a way to win this fixture, next time we come out, the last two memories we’d have out here would be two Ashes wins.
“The baggage that might have been there for a previous generation might not be there for them. There’s so much to play for throughout the next three days.”
READ MORE: Man Utd news: Glasner and Maresca leading contenders to replace sacked Ruben Amorim
Hussain laments Smith dismissal
Smith, meanwhile, capped a lively batting display in disastrous fashion when he lobbed a harmless bouncer from part-timer Marnus Labuschagne to cover just before lunch.
Former England captain Nasser Hussain criticised Smith’s dismissal, saying: “It was a really poor shot, not just because of the execution and because Labuschagne was bowling but the timing, and that is the problem with this England side.
“They have a lot of talent but don’t seem to lock on to the situation of the game. It was nine minutes until lunch and five overs until the new ball. Just survive and go again.
“Smith will be very disappointed with the timing of that shot but it wasn’t just the shot, it was the innings.
“He was caught off a no-ball at cover and then nicked between slip and wicketkeeper next ball. He played some beautiful shots but could have been out six or seven times.
“I hope someone in that dressing room at some stage – maybe not this evening but at the end of the Test – will sit down with him and Harry Brook and say: ‘at times in this series, you have not taken the right option’.”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Cycling news: Wout van Aert’s cyclo-cross reunion with Mathieu van der Poel ends prematurely
SportJustSport writers