Ashes: With 71 runs in the second innings on Day 5 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Australia is poised to overcome the Three Lions in the fifth Test of the 2025 Ashes.

In the second innings, Mitchell Starc spearheaded Australia’s attack with the ball as the visitors could only muster 342. The seasoned left-arm bowler claimed three wickets, bringing his Ashes 2025 total to 32.

While chasing 160 runs, Australia got off to a solid start thanks to 62 runs from Travis Head (29) and Jake Weatherald (34). As the hosts reached 71/2, Josh Tongue dismissed Head while Weatherald emerged to master English pace just before lunch.

Earlier, England chose to bat first and scored 384 in 97.3 overs. Joe Root, a seasoned batsman, led the scoring with 160 runs off 242 deliveries and 15 fours. After the Brisbane Test, this was Root’s second century in the Ashes series.

Harry Brook, the vice captain of England, used six fours and one six to play a valiant innings of 84 runs off 97 balls. Jamie Smith, the wicketkeeper-batter, scored three boundaries and 27 off 62 balls.

Australia’s wicket-takers were Cameron Green (1/85), Scott Boland (2/85), Michael Neser (4/60), Mitchell Starc (2/93), and Marnus Labuschagne (1/14).

Australia responded by taking a 183-run advantage after scoring 567 in 133.5 overs. Steve Smith, the captain, scored 138 from 220 balls, including one six and sixteen fours. Beau Webster used seven boundaries to score 71 off 87 deliveries. With 163 runs off 166 balls, 24 fours, and one six, Travis Head was the leading scorer.

Three Lions’ wickets were taken by Josh Tongue (3/97), Will Jacks (1/34), Jacob Bethell (1/52), skipper Ben Stokes (2/95), and Brydon Carse (3/130).

The 22-year-old Jacob Bethell scored an incredible 154 off 265 deliveries, including 15 fours, in England’s second innings.

According to ESPNcricinfo, the 22-year-old Bethell became the seventh England batsman to register a century against Australia at the age of 22 or younger after hitting his first First-Class Hundred.

He became one of the select few, along with Ben Stokes, Mike Atherton, Alastair Cook, Colin Cowdrey, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, Jack Hearne, and Johnny Briggs.

The fashionable left-handed hitter also made history by being the sixth English player to record their first First-Class century in a Test match.

Prior to Bethell, Henry Wood defeated South Africa in 1898, Billy Griffith defeated the West Indies in 1948, Jack Russell defeated Australia in 1989, Stuart Broad defeated Pakistan in 2010, and Gus Atkinson defeated Sri Lanka in 2024.

Opener Ben Duckett (42 off 55 deliveries, including six fours) and Harry Brook (42 off 48 balls, with the help of five fours) helped England make 342 in their second innings, setting up a target of 160 runs.

Beau Webster (3/64) took wickets for Australia, Scott Boland (2/46), Michael Neser (1/55), and Mitchell Starc (3/72).

Brief Scores: England: 384 and 342 (Joe Root 160, Jacob Bethell 154, Michael Neser 4/60, Mitchell Starc 3/72) vs Australia: 567 and 71/2 (Travis Head 165, Steve Smith 138, Brydon Carse 3/108, Josh Tongue 2/23).