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📻 IMPORTANT AUCKLAND UPDATE 📻
Root takes command for England on day two in Sydney
Scott Bailey, AAP • January 5th, 2026 3:00 pm
Joe Root | Photo: AAP
The spotlight on Cameron Green is set to intensify after a no-ball cost Australia a crucial wicket on day two in Sydney, with England going to lunch at 6-336.
Already under pressure coming into the final Test of a personally difficult Ashes series, Green thought he had Jamie Smith caught at cover on 24 to leave England 6-274.
But replays showed Green had overstepped and it was a no-ball, handing Smith a reprieve as he and centurion Joe Root (138no) added another 49 for the sixth wicket.
Making matters worse for Australia, Smith edged his next ball between Alex Carey and Beau Webster for four, with neither wicketkeeper or slip moving to catch it.
The wicketkeeper did eventually fall for 46, becoming the first man in Test cricket dismissed by Marnus Labuschagne's seamers.
With lunch in sight, Smith inexplicably hit a short ball from Labuschagne's first over straight to deep cover.
Joe Root celebrates his century | Photo: AAP
Had Australia been able to remove Smith in Green's over, bowling England out for a total of close to 300 would have been within sight.
Instead, the tourists are now pushing towards 400 and their highest score of the series.
Green has endured a tough campaign, with the allrounder having scored 112 runs at 18.66 with the bat to go with three wickets at an average of 79.
The West Australian is viewed as a long-term Test player, but Webster was arguably the better allrounder in 2025 before missing the first four Tests of this series.
Webster was recalled to play alongside Green in Sydney, with the pair having figures of 0-16 and 0-79 respectively from four and 14 overs.
But from 5-229 England were able to regain control, with Root the man in command after finally hitting a first Test century in Australia three matches ago in Brisbane.
After being the more composed England batter in his 159-run stand with Brook on Sunday and early Monday, the 35-year-old has cover-driven superbly.
He has also regularly worked the ball behind square on the offside, looking far more at ease than the man who has often edged off through this series.
Root's 42nd Test century took him level with Ricky Ponting for the third most of all time, behind only Sachin Tendulkar (51) and Jacques Kallis (45).
Meanwhile after going without a frontline spinner in Sydney for the first time in 138 years, Australia did turn to Travis Head's tweakers for four overs before lunch.
Tune into Sport Nation for live ball-by-ball commentary of The Ashes series - thanks to SEN.
