Ashes Test: Root, Head exhibit batting mastery on Day 2

Joe Root made his second hundred of the series, while Travis Head closed in on his third, as Day 2 of the final Ashes test between Australia and England closed evenly poised on Monday. England was bowled out just before tea for 384 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with Joe Root leading with a masterful 160 for his best test score in the country from his four Ashes tours.

At stumps, Australia was 166-2 in reply in its first innings, with Travis Head again in imperious form as he slashed his way to 91 not out from 87 balls and nearing his third hundred of the five-match series. Ben Stokes had both wickets for the tourists, which struggled to stem the flow of runs in the final session but the wicket of the well-set Marnus Labuschagne late in the day buoyed England’s hopes. Root’s milestone ton:  Earlier Monday, as wickets fell regularly around him, Root showed all the

composure of a 163-test veteran as he notched his 41st century off 146 balls, with 11 boundaries and celebrated with the same shrug gesture as when he broke through for his first ton in four Ashes tours at Brisbane last month. “I just felt like we’ve had some amazing support throughout this series and we’ve not been able to achieve what we set out to as a group, but at no point has that (support) ever wavered,” Root said. “It (the celebration) is a way of saying thank you, really.” Root’s epic innings was finally ended at 160 from 242 balls when he popped a return catch to Neser, who dived across the pitch to grasp the ball just inches above the ground.

While his disappointment was evident as he walked from the field, he received a standing ovation from the near-capacity Sydney Cricket Ground in what may be the veteran’s last tour of a country that had provided his greatest batting challenge. “Who knows? We’ll see. I’d love to (play until then), but we’ll see how things unfold in time,” he said. The England star is now level with former Australia captain Ricky Ponting on the all-time list of test centurymakers. Only Sachin Tendulker (51) and Jacques Kallis (45) have more.

Bowlers chip away: Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc made early breakthroughs Monday after Root and Harry Brook’s partnership had moved to 169 runs and was threatening to take the test away from the hosts, who already have a winning 3-1 lead in the series. Boland (2-85) ended Brook’s equal parts streaky and sublime innings at 84, with Steve Smith taking a sharp catch to bring to a close the best partnership of the series across both teams.

Starc (2-93) removed England skipper Ben Stokes (0) for the fifth time this series with a near unplayable delivery that shaped away from the left-hander which took a thin edge on its way through to Alex Carey. Jamie Smith made an enterprising, and at times fortunate, 46 before he holed-out to the part-time medium pace of Labuschagne.

Root and Jacks then combined for 54-run partnership before Neser’s (4-60) three quick strikes wrapped up the innings. Aussies’ rapid reply:  Australia’s innings got off to a fast start with Head and Jake Weatherald bringing up the hosts fifty in just the 10th over. Stokes (2-30) came into the attack to stem the runs and soon had Weatherald (21) trapped leg before wicket to have Australia at 57-1.

Head continued the attack and raised his fifty off 55 balls with nine boundaries and soon after passed 500 runs for the series, at a strike rate above 87, to lead both teams. “Every ball he (Head) is looking to score,” Neser said. “He is not trying to work it around or grind it out. And most times he creates more opportunities than normal batters, because he is so talented.” Marnus Labuschagne also found form and with Head plundered a 105-run partnership in quick time.

In the fading light, Labuschagne and Stokes engaged in a verbal battle across several overs with the England captain clearly showing and voicing his displeasure at the Australian’s delaying tactics. The England skipper had the last laugh when Labuschagne (48) guided a catch to gully and Australia was 162-2.

Neser came in as nightwatchman for the final 15 minutes and took a painful blow on the elbow from Stokes in the final over which ended the day’s play. England lost each of the first three tests to allow Australia to retain the Ashes in just 11 days of on-field action. England then won its first Ashes match Down Under since 2011 with a four-wicket win in the Boxing Day test.