Ashes 2025-26: Joe Root’s century pales as Travis Head’s explosive innings leaves fans fuming on the action-packed second day of the Sydney Pink Test.

As the fans went wild travis headHis stormy unbeaten inning of 91 runs was overshadowed. Joe RootGritty 160 in exciting day 2 of 5th ashes test On January 4, 2026 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia has already won the series 3-1 EnglandFirst innings 218 runs for 384 runs, score at 166/2 after 34.1 overs. The Pink Ashes finale delivers edge-of-the-seat drama with a rivalry for the ages and boundaries flying under the Sydney sky

Joe Root’s brilliant century took England to a strong score

England started playing at 211/3 with the help of Root’s 72 runs. harry brook On 78, building pace on a batsman-friendly pitch. Root started the innings brilliantly, converting his night score to 160 off 242 balls with 15 fours, equaling his 41st Test century. ricky pontingMark of. He made an important partnership of 169 runs with Brook (84 out of 97, 6×4, 1×6) before Brook was out. Scott Boland At 226/4, then added 94 jamie smith (46, 6×4, 1×6) to reach 300 in 69.1 overs.

Stokes (0) got out cheaply Mitchell Starc Soon after, however, Root scored 150 off 226 balls amid partnerships such as a 50-run stand for the seventh wicket. will jacks (27). Michael Nesser Shined with 4/60, had Root caught-and-bowled out at 384/9, followed by passion tongue (0), England were reduced to 3.93 RR in 97.3 overs. Boland (2/85) and Starc (2/93) provided support with surprise wickets marnus labuschagne And cameron greenGave Australia a target to chase aggressively

Travis Head’s explosive counterattack puts Australia in the driving seat at the end of the second day

In response to Australia, the openers were full of head and enthusiasm. Jake Weatherald 57/0 in 12 overs and past 50 in 9.2 overs. Wetherold (21, 4×4) was out LBW to Stokes at 57/1, but Head’s onslaught – 50 off 55 balls (9×4) inspired a 105-run partnership for the second wicket with Labuschagne (48, 7×4). He scored 100 in 20.3 overs and 150 in 28.5, despite DRS play including Wetherald’s review and England’s failed LBW call on Labuschagne.

Stokes struck again, trapping Labuschagne at 162/2 in 30.6 overs, but the unbeaten Head (91 off 87, 15×4, SR 104.59) continued to dominate the England attack. Matthew Potts 58/0 in 7 overs, braydon carse 43/0 in 9, and Tang 31/0 in 10, as Australia took the pace to 43/1 in the last 10 overs with RR at 4.85. The game ended early due to rain and gloom, leaving Head to eclipse Root’s effort and bow out decisively on the third day.

Also read: Ashes 2025-26: On the second day of the Sydney Test, Joe Root equaled Ricky Ponting by scoring a brilliant 41st Test century against Australia, fans went wild.

Here’s how fans reacted:

The only batsman to score more than 400 runs in BGT 2025 – Travis Head.

The only batsman to score more than 500 runs in Ashes 2026 – Travis Head.

The most influential batsman in international cricket in this decade. pic.twitter.com/dqzCiBqMfX

– Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) 5 January 2026

Travis Head scored over 400 runs as a middle-order batsman in BGT.

Travis Head scored more than 500 runs as an opener in the Ashes.

Head – One of the most versatile batsmen. pic.twitter.com/iEND1td7n1

– Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) 5 January 2026

Half a decade has passed and there is no doubt that Travis Head is the best cricketer of this decade. pic.twitter.com/XCqFeEGNry

-Vivek (@Hailkohli18) 5 January 2026

Travis Head may be the one player no one can decode—how he does what he does. pic.twitter.com/ldXA1ufslz

– 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐧🌸𝐭!𝟎𝐧_👑🚩 (@bholination) 5 January 2026

Travis Head in the Ashes series 2025-26.

21(35), 123(83), 33(43), 22(22), 10(28), 170(219), 12(22), 46(67), 91*(87) today. pic.twitter.com/6yl2HerIyt

– Sports (@the_sports_x) 5 January 2026

Travis Head was the leading run-scorer in the 2024-2025 BGT series and now he is again the leading run-scorer in the 2025-2026 Ashes.

Travis Head’s excellent performance in international cricket is not discussed as much as it should be, but he is quietly maintaining his dominance in every series. pic.twitter.com/1z97EVzNiI

-Sohail. (@SohelVkf) 5 January 2026

The only batsman to score more than 400 runs in BGT 2025 – Travis Head.

The only batsman to score more than 500 runs in Ashes 2026 – Travis Head.

The most influential batsman in international cricket in this decade. 🦁 oops closed pic.twitter.com/kIRp4tmVrM

– Tripurari Chaudhary (@TripurariMedia) 5 January 2026

Travis Head scored over 400 runs as a middle-order batsman in BGT.

Travis Head scored more than 500 runs as an opener in the Ashes.

Head – One of the most versatile batsmen. pic.twitter.com/cm2OjGql7W

– Jatin Srivastava (@jatinshriv2913) 5 January 2026

Travis Head ended the day on 91* as Australia made a strong comeback after Joe Root’s 160 pic.twitter.com/MV0uBNIf6L

– Root Jaiswal (@JaiswalRoot) 5 January 2026

Day 2, Stumps

Australia: 166/2, trail by 218 runs

– Travis Head is unbeaten on 91 runs#Ashes2025 #Australia pic.twitter.com/XsbNqYKFo1

– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) 5 January 2026

Travis Head creates Ashes history! 🔥Second Australian opener with 500+ runs in an Ashes series in the 21st century, David Warner did so in 2013/14. pic.twitter.com/lXTL9awleZ

– Sports (@the_sports_x) 5 January 2026

Also read: Alastair Cook opens up on the possibility of becoming England’s next head coach