🔗 Share this article Australia v England: Final Ashes Test, The Third Day Unfolds The players are about to take the field for an lengthy first session that will last two and a half hours. If Travis Head is batting at lunch, Australia will be strapped into the commanding position. A Pink Outpouring of Support The SCG is observing Jane McGrath Day today, with everybody wearing pink in support of the McGrath Foundation. The occasion commemorates the foundation's commitment to providing cancer support. A fan dressed in all pink arrives at the Sydney Cricket Ground. On-Field Tensions Bubble Over The intent was unclear whether it was a signal sent to the Australians 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. Seemingly reacting to something said by Labuschagne, Stokes was audibly telling “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. With the officials intervening, Stokes walked away after giving Labuschagne a squeeze. Under ICC regulations, the England captain could be reprimanded for “inappropriate physical contact”. Questions Over Australia's Bowling Tactics Shane Warne's biography title 'No Spin' was not an endorsement of the tactic. Speaking for the dead is unacceptably presumptuous, but his record in life was loud and clear in backing his guild. Sides should always retain a spin bowling option was his frequent argument. Loyalty to a bowling type isn't the sole consideration. Former pace colleague Jason Gillespie had the same view watching the fifth Ashes Test. “You need that variety,” he stated during commentary. The hosts lacked that option. Instead, they had three specialist fast bowlers, a couple of curiously employed all-rounders and a sprinkle of part-time guff. They had an England innings that was allowed to pull away, with significant stands 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 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. A crucial morning session awaits, yet one cannot ignore the series finale atmosphere that has characterized this Test so far. Final Ashes Tests often prove anticlimactic, especially on Australian soil. 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. Right here, right now, 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 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 on the capricious side. Should England's bowlers, namely Matthew Potts, discover the right length this morning they can force their way back into the game. Regarding this specific game, the morning's play is vital. It’s just that the match isn’t as big as we hoped.