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The cricketers are preparing to step onto the pitch for an lengthy first session scheduled to run for two and a half hours. If Travis Head is batting at lunch, Australia will be strapped into the box seat.

A Sea of Pink for a Cause

It’s Jane McGrath Day at the SCG, with everybody wearing pink in solidarity with the McGrath Foundation. The day honors the foundation's commitment to providing cancer support.

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 message to Australia or his own bowlers. Ben Stokes signed off a annoying day's end in Sydney by exchanging remarks out in the middle with Marnus Labuschagne. Seemingly reacting to something said by Labuschagne, Stokes was heard saying “shut the fuck up” at the end of the over. He then walked over and put an arm around his opponent’s shoulder to continue the exchange.

With the officials intervening, the England skipper departed after giving Labuschagne a squeeze. As per the ICC code of conduct, the England captain could be reprimanded for “inappropriate physical contact”.

The Spin Debate Ignites Anew

When Shane Warne called his biography No Spin, it wasn’t a recommendation. It's presumptuous to speak for the deceased, but his record in life was loud and clear in supporting fellow spinners. Teams should always give themselves the option of spin bowling was his common contention.

Loyalty to a bowling type isn't the sole consideration. His old teammate Jason Gillespie echoed the sentiment watching the fifth Ashes Test. “You need that variety,” he stated during commentary.

The hosts lacked that option. 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 significant stands while Joe Root compiled his highest score in Australia of 160 and England their best total in the Ashes, 384.

It would have been helpful to introduce a specialist spinner when Root and Harry Brook were settling in. It would have been helpful to save Mitchell Starc from bowling a fourth spell.

Setting the Scene for Day Three

Hello and welcome to live coverage of day three at the SCG. A crucial morning session awaits, yet one cannot ignore the series finale atmosphere that has characterized this Test so far.

We’re used to anticlimactic final Tests, particularly when England play in Australia. This one seems particularly subdued, mainly because there was such expectation. 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 outcome will be either 4-1 or 3-2 to Australia. Right here, right now, 4-1 looks more likely. An underwhelming display with the ball from England let Australia race to 166 for two, trailing by 218 runs, 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 was struck nastily on the elbow just before the close, a reminder that this pitch – though generally batsman-friendly – is on the capricious side. If England, particularly Matthew Potts, find their length this morning they could reignite the contest.

Regarding this specific game, this is a big first session. It’s just that the match isn’t as big as we hoped.