Jan. 6, 2026
The Final Test Slips Toward a Stalemate
Days 2 and 3 of the fifth and final Ashes Test saw England post a competitive total before Australia reasserted control through a commanding batting display. Joe Root led England’s resistance, while Travis Head and Steve Smith dictated terms for Australia, pushing them into a strong position. With limited time remaining and a full second innings still to come, the match is increasingly shaped by tempo and time rather than momentum.