Root Scores 160 as England Set 384; Australia Reaches 166-2 on Day Two of Fifth Ashes Test

Day Two, Fifth Ashes Test: Sydney Cricket Ground

Joe Root scored his 41st Test century, guiding England to a first-innings total of 384 all out. In reply, Australia reached 166 for two at stumps, with Travis Head unbeaten on 91.

England's First Innings

Joe Root resumed on 72 and scored 160 runs from 242 balls. This was his second century of the tour and his first in a red-ball Test in Australia. The innings placed him level with Ricky Ponting on the all-time list of Test centuries.

Root became the first English batter to score more than one century in an Ashes series in Australia since the 2010-11 series.

Root was dismissed by Michael Neser, who took four wickets for 60 runs. Neser's wickets included a caught-and-bowled dismissal of Root. Following his dismissal, Root left the field with lower back cramp.

Harry Brook contributed 84 runs. He and Root shared a 169-run partnership. Jamie Smith scored 46 runs, participating in a 94-run partnership with Root. Ben Stokes was dismissed for a duck by Mitchell Starc.

England's lower order lost five wickets for 61 runs. Will Jacks added 27 runs. England's innings concluded at 384 all out in 97.3 overs.

• Cameron Green had a potential wicket of Jamie Smith disallowed when the delivery was called a no-ball, Green's third of the series.
• Marnus Labuschagne, bowling medium pace, dismissed Jamie Smith, who was caught by Scott Boland. This was Labuschagne's first Test wicket since March 2022.

Australia's Response

Australia began its first innings, reaching 166 for two after 34.1 overs by the close of play.

Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head formed a 105-run partnership. Labuschagne scored 48 runs before being dismissed by Ben Stokes. Following his dismissal, Head continued, scoring an unbeaten 91 runs from 87 balls, including 15 boundaries.

• Jake Weatherald was reprieved twice after dropped catches when on 9 and 15 runs, before being dismissed for 21 by Ben Stokes. This was his fourth LBW dismissal in the series.
• Root was involved in a dropped catch attempt at slip, and Ben Duckett dropped a chance at cover.
• Matthew Potts and Brydon Carse bowled a combined 16 overs, conceding 101 runs without taking a wicket.
• Australia's nightwatchman Michael Neser was at the crease on one run after sustaining a blow to the forearm late on day two.

Player Exchange

During the day, England captain Ben Stokes and Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne exchanged words after an over bowled by Stokes. Stokes made a verbal remark and approached Labuschagne, placing an arm around his shoulder. Umpires Ahsan Raza and Chris Gaffaney intervened.

Under the ICC code of conduct, clause 2.12, which pertains to inappropriate physical contact, Stokes could face a reprimand. Match referee Jeff Crowe is overseeing the event.