Head, Smith centuries put Australia on front foot in fifth Ashes test

SYDNEY, Jan 6 : ‌Travis Head scored 163 and Steve Smith became the second-most prolific Ashes run-scorer of all time on the way to his century as Australia took a first-innings lead of 134 on the third day of the fifth test against England on Monday.

Already 3-1 up in the series with the urn secured for another 18 months, Australia finished the day on 518 for seven with Smith 129 not out and Beau Webster unbeaten on 42.

Head's century, brought up off 105 balls, was his third of the series, while skipper Smith hit the hundred mark for the 13th time in his 41 Ashes contests.

There was ‌disappointment, however, for Usman Khawaja, who received a rapturous reception from the Sydney Cricket Ground ‌crowd as he came out to bat in his final test before retirement but managed only 17 runs before falling to a full toss.

Sydney has offered the most bat-friendly surface of the series and it was heavy work in blazing sunshine for the England bowlers, especially in the final session when the shine had worn off the second new ball.

England seamer Matthew Potts came in for particularly heavy punishment from the Australian batsmen in his first match in the series, going for 141 runs from 25 overs.

Head made the most of the old ball ‍at the start of the day when, resuming on 91 with Australia 166-2, he attacked with a relish that has become his trademark since moving to the top of the order in Perth.

He hammered a four through the covers for his 12th test century before raising his helmet aloft on the handle of his bat and taking Australia to lunch at 281-3.

Brydon Carse (3-108) had finally dismissed Michael Neser for 24 but only after ​the nightwatchman had faced 90 balls and England had ‌burned their final DRS review in a failed attempt to