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The players are about to take the field for an extended first session scheduled to run for two and a half hours. If Travis Head is batting at lunch, Australia will be firmly in the driving seat.

A Sea of Pink for a Cause

It’s Jane McGrath Day at the SCG, with everybody wearing pink in support of the McGrath Foundation. The occasion commemorates the charity's dedication to offering support for cancer patients.

A fan dressed in all pink arrives at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

A Heated Exchange Mars the Evening

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. Appearing to respond to a comment by Labuschagne, Stokes was heard saying “shut the fuck up” at the end of the over. He subsequently approached and placed a hand on the batsman's shoulder to prolong the conversation.

As the umpires moved in, Stokes walked away following a brief pat. As per the ICC code of conduct, Stokes potentially faces sanction for “inappropriate physical contact”.

Questions Over Australia's Bowling Tactics

Shane Warne's biography title 'No Spin' was not an endorsement of the tactic. It's presumptuous to speak for the deceased, but his lifelong stance was unequivocal in supporting fellow spinners. Teams should always give themselves the option of spin bowling was his frequent argument.

Nor is allegiance of style the only factor. His old teammate Jason Gillespie echoed the sentiment observing the Sydney Test. “You need that variety,” he stated during commentary.

Australia didn’t have it. Their attack featured a trio of pace specialists, 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 substantial partnerships while Joe Root compiled his top score in Australia of 160 and England their best total in the Ashes, 384.

It would have been helpful to turn to specialist spin when Root and Harry Brook were settling in. It might have eased the burden to save Mitchell Starc from bowling a fourth spell.

Preamble: A Session of Significance

Greetings and welcome to our updates of the third day's play in Sydney. There’s a big first session coming, but it’s impossible to escape the series finale atmosphere that has pervaded this Test so far.

We’re used to anticlimactic final Tests, especially on Australian soil. This one seems particularly subdued, largely due to the pre-series hype. 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 series will end either 4-1 or 3-2 to Australia. Right here, right now, 4-1 looks more likely. A poor bowling performance from England allowed Australia to charge to 166 for two, a deficit of 218, in only 34.1 overs. Travis Head is 91 not out from 87 balls; Michael Neser, who came in as nightwatchman has 1 from 15.

Neser received a painful blow to the elbow just before the close, highlighting that the surface – though largely good for batting – is on the capricious side. If England, particularly Matthew Potts, find their 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.