Ashes: Steve Smith and Travis Head put England to the sword in Sydney Test

Australia all but extinguished England's hopes of finishing the Ashes tour Down Under on a positive note as centuries from Travis Head and captain Steve Smith put the hosts in full control of the Sydney Test.

Head smashed 163 while 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.

Australia have already taken an unassailable 3-1 Ashes lead but England were hoping to carry the momentum from their stunning win in Melbourne into Sydney. They did look like taking control after threatening to score more than 400 in the first innings. But Australia once again showed greater discipline and ruthlessness, finishing the third day on 518-7 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 41 Ashes games.

A 4-1 series scoreline now looks the likeliest outcome, with the tourists running out of steam. Will Jacks added to the tour’s growing lowlights reel with a nightmare drop in the morning session, juggling a regulation chance from Head on the midwicket boundary that cost the team an additional 42 runs. The impact of that drop, however, was felt all day.

There was disappointment for the home team though. Usman Khawaja did not have the dream final outing he was hoping for as he made only 17 runs before falling to a full toss.

It was a tough day in the field for England bowlers on arguably the flattest conditions all series.