Aus vs Eng fifth Ashes Take a look at day 2: Joe Root’s majestic 160 powers England to 384 in ultimate Take a look at

An imperious Joe Root hit a powerful 160 earlier than England had been dismissed for 384 at tea on day two of the fifth and ultimate Ashes Take a look at towards Australia on Monday (January 5, 2026).

Root’s very good innings was ended courtesy of a superb caught-and-bowled by Michael Neser, who ended with 4-60.

Will Jacks (27), Brydon Carse (1) and Josh Tongue (0) additionally departed within the second session at a sold-out Sydney Cricket Floor.

Harry Brook (84) and skipper Ben Stokes (0) fell to Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc respectively, whereas Jamie Smith (46) was dismissed by part-timer Marnus Labuschagne, all earlier than lunch.

Australia lead the collection 3-1 and have already retained the Ashes, with England determined to maintain the momentum going after clawing again a win on the earlier Take a look at in Melbourne.

Resuming at 211-3, the day belonged to Root, who began on 72 and reached an nearly chanceless century off 146 balls to reaffirm his standing as one of many all-time greats.

The 35-year-old started the gruelling collection below stress after failing to make 100 in Australia over three earlier Ashes excursions, however he snapped the drought with an imposing unbeaten 138 within the day-night Take a look at at Brisbane.

His exploits in Sydney drew him stage with Australian Ricky Ponting to be third on the all-time century-maker record with 41.

Solely India’s Sachin Tendulkar (51) and South African Jacques Kallis (45) have extra.

Root and Brook got here along with England in bother at 57-3 on Sunday following the demise of Ben Duckett (27), Zak Crawley (16) and Jacob Bethell (10).

Each had been eyeing huge centuries on a deck preferrred for batting.

However Brook solely lasted 5 balls on Monday, including six to his in a single day 78 earlier than dabbing at a Boland supply and edging into the secure arms of Steve Smith at slip.

It ended a 169-run partnership, not simply England’s better of the collection however the largest by both group, surpassing Travis Head and Alex Carey’s 162 in Adelaide.

Stokes solely survived 11 balls earlier than getting the faintest of edges off Starc.

The umpire gave it not out however the determination was overturned on assessment and he was gone for a duck.

Jamie Smith lived dangerously and was lucky to outlive after chipping Cameron Inexperienced to Labuschagne at cowl on 22. He started strolling off however replays confirmed Inexperienced overstepped the mark.

He added one other 24 earlier than medium-pacer Labuschagne got here on and bagged him in his first over, holing out to Boland.

Will Jacks slammed a six off Labuschagne within the first over after lunch however the run price slowed considerably when the brand new ball was taken and Starc and Boland returned.

Root continued, passing 150 for a seventeenth time, only one behind the legendary Don Bradman and three wanting Tendulkar.

He and Jacks placed on 52 for the seventh wicket till Jacks despatched a vanguard to Inexperienced within the gully off Neser. Root then departed and the tail collapsed.