The Ashes – Fifth Test, Sydney Day 2: Travis Head does not need any prayers
2025/26 ASHES – FIFTH TEST, DAY 2
Sydney Cricket Ground, Monday 5 January 2026
Overnight: England 3/211, 45 overs (Root 72 not out & Brook 78 not out.)
Team Hansen supporting the McGrath Foundation.
Play started 30 mins early (9:30am SA time) due to the bad light debacle from day one. As I settled into the home office chair, with my trusty ipad tuned into the ABC listen app, Joe Root scored four runs off the first ball of the day, off Mr Dependable, Scott Boland.
As the ball hit the rope at the vacant third man boundary, the commentators lamented the defensive field set by Australia, including only one slip fielder.
The dangerous Joe Root-Harry Brook partnership did not threaten too much longer, with Brook out for 84, to yet another exceptional Steve Smith catch.
England went to lunch at 3/336, having also lost the wickets of Stokes, caught behind for a duck off the bowling of the freshly awarded McGilvray medallist Mitchell Starc, as well as wicket keeper Jamie Smith.
Stokes lost his wicket to Starc for the 14th time in test matches. What an Ashes series Mitchell Starc has had! In the athletics world, the name Starc is equally revered: three-time Olympic high jumper Brandon Starc (personal best 2.36m) is the equal Australian record holder in the event, alongside Tim Forsyth.
Brandon is four years younger than his big brother.
Mitchell is a former Parramatta Little Athletics Club member and was inducted in the Little Athletics Australia Roll of Excellence in 2017, alongside former Tasmanian athletics team member, Mister Brightside, Jack Riewoldt.
England wicket keeper Jamie Smith threw his wicket away again, just before lunch to the ‘bowling’ of Marnus Labuschagne. Smith’s latest brain fade was justifiably criticised. Speaking on the ABC Cricket Podcast, Ed Cowan described Smith’s dismissal as a tennis shot.
Earlier, golden boy Cameron Green thought he had claimed the wicket of Smith, however his big size 14 foot was over the line.
Joe Root’s 41st test century was the highlight of the day’s play. The prolific run scorer from Sheffield is now in reach (within 2000 runs) of Tendulkar’s 15, 921 total.
What a top five: Tendulkar 15,921, Root 13,937, Ponting 13,378, Kallis 13,289, Dravid 13,288.
Root was dismissed for 160, caught and bowled by Neser, a brilliant diving effort to his right.
England were dismissed for 384, their highest total in Australia since 2011.
Neser had a great day with the ball, finishing with the figures of 4/60.
Once again Weatherald failed to take his opportunity at the top of the order, dismissed in familiar fashion, leg before wicket, this time to Stokes.
Travis Head played many trademark shots to be within nine runs of another Ashes century at stumps.
England captain Ben Stokes was his usual aggressive self with the ball, also claiming the wicket of Labuschagne late in the day. There were plenty of words exchanged, along with some gesturing out in the middle.
Stokes’ father Ged played rugby league for New Zealand, before moving the family to England to continue playing, before moving into a variety of coaching roles.
I wonder if Ben Stokes could play a role at the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
I do admire Stokes’ aggression and competitiveness. Wayne Bennett, have you been tuning in to the Ashes?
Stumps: Australia 2/166, Head 91 not out, Neser 1 not out (34.1 overs) Australia trail England by 218 runs
Rabbit in the Vineyard, Nuriootpa, South Australia
Read more reports on the Ashes series HERE.
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About Russel Hansen
Russel Hansen Has worked in schools for over thirty years – as a teacher, coach, coach educator, sports coordinator and in pastoral care roles. Whilst at Brisbane Boys’ College as Director of Athletics, he led teams to six GPS premierships in track and field, and cross country. He has coached (athletics) at all levels from school to international. His squad at the University of Queensland (to January 2023) included Lachlan Kennedy OLY, Paris 4x100m relay runner, Australian record holder. He is married to Heidi, a Primary school principal, and is father to two adult daughters. Twitter: @Russel_Hansen
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Thanks Rabbit Smith dismissal mind boggling he seems to have the cricket nous of a demented wombat.
Weatherald have to be a little critical re its the same dismissal but personally a questionable decision more than a tad of doubt I admit I’m giving that not out
Thanks Rulebook – Smith: Ed Cowan was also critical of Golden Boy’s step back to the square leg umpire in Brisbane, however Smith’s was, as people like to say in 2026, ‘next level’
Weatherald: seems to be so many people willing him towards success, which to me, as an outsider, says much about his great character and qualities
Thanks Russel. This test is shaping up nicely. Might end up with three good ones this summer! Regarding Starc: he reminds me of Pendlebury and although from NSW, appears as though he would’ve been handy as an Australian Rules footballer.
Neser is most impressive with the bat.
Mickey:
Brandon Starc started in athletics as a hurdler (as far as I know) – unsure if Mitch was the ‘Little Athletics all-rounder’ (many events) or also a high jumper – agree, he’s very athletic, as was the topic of an article in the Sunday newspaper, also around his longevity, and prioritising Test cricket over IPL – no doubt he would have been handy (or much more!) with the Sherrin
what an impressive family!
Appreciate your interesting article Russell,.notwithstanding no wine appraisals.
Mitchell has always been known to me as Mitchell Star.
So is his brother Brandon. You also have mentioned Tim Forsyth, another champion high jumper.
I recall Tim’s father Jim playing for Essendon and Yarrawonga.
It’s amazing the crossover between sports & why people pursue & become stars.