Australia has achieved a rare record in the 134-year chapter of Test cricket history. They set this record on the third day of the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Such a brilliant batting performance has not been seen before in Test history since the nineteenth century.
After the shock of defeat in the Boxing Day Test at MCG, Australia now has complete control of the fifth and final Test, aiming to finish this series 4-1.
Smith completed the 37th Test century of his career and remained unbeaten on 129 runs at the end of the day. Earlier, Travis Head played a storming innings of 163 runs. And along with that, a rare record in Test history was created that caught attention. At the end of the third day, Australia scored 529 runs for 7 wickets, after taking a commanding lead of 134 runs in the first innings. England was bowled out for 384 runs, though Joe Root played a brilliant innings of 160 runs.
What truly made Australia's innings historic was the extraordinary consistency of their batting lineup. One after another, batsmen came and played their roles, none of them failed.
As a result, they built seven fifty-run partnerships, which is almost unprecedented in the long 134-year history of Test cricket. Until now, only India had touched this milestone.
In 2007 at The Oval, the Indian team under Rahul Dravid's captaincy had actually built eight fifty-run partnerships. That match is still memorable to fans because Anil Kumble scored the only Test century of his career there.
Australia came very close to that record this time, but could not touch it. Their only failed partnership was between wicketkeeper Alex Carey and Steve Smith, where only a 27-run partnership occurred. However, excluding this small failure, Australia's batting throughout the innings was brilliant, disciplined and consistent. Each partnership took the team's innings forward, each batsman contributed, and each run seemed to write a new chapter in the pages of history.
ALSO READ | 'Cricket deserves truth', Ridhima Pathak clarifies Bangladesh Premier League exit
This consistency is rare not only in terms of numbers but also in terms of mental fortitude. Seven fifty-run partnerships in one innings in intense competition like the Ashes has never been seen before. In 1892, England had built six partnerships in Adelaide, which was the highest until now. After that, six partnerships have been seen several more times, but never seven. Therefore, Australia's achievement in Sydney is undoubtedly a unique addition to Ashes history.
Ashes Records
Australia— 7 fifty-run partnerships (SCG, 2025)
England— 6 fifty-run partnerships (Adelaide, 1892)
England— 6 fifty-run partnerships (Brisbane, 1928)
Australia— 6 fifty-run partnerships (Brisbane, 2006)
Australia— 6 fifty-run partnerships (Brisbane, 2025)
Seven fifty partnerships in one innings have never been built in the long history of the Ashes—this is the first time. Earlier, the highest record was in 1892, when England built six fifty-run partnerships in Adelaide.
Though Australia and England later touched that record, they could not break it for 134 years. Finally, that record was broken.
Australia is virtually standing in front of victory in Sydney. England is ahead by 119 runs at the end of the fourth day. Their score at the end of the day is 302 runs for 8 wickets.
The English team got some oxygen through Jacob Bethell's unbeaten 142 runs. There is a whole day left. Getting England's 2 wickets quickly and chasing 150-200 runs will not be a difficult matter for Australia.
