Root scores legacy defining century while Head makes inroads on England's lead

• What time do The Ashes start in my state?
• Listen Live: Every ball of the Ashes right here
• England started Day 2 on 3/211 with Joe Root (72) and Harry Brook (78) not out
• Joe Root has made his second ton of the series
• England were bowled out for 384
• Travis Head has made a signifcant dint to get Australia trailing by over 200 runs

DAY RECAP

Travis Head has helped lead the way for Australia as they find themselves trailing by 218 runs following a strong day with the bat.

Day 2 would start in Australia's favour, having dismissed Harry Brook for 84 within the first 15 minutes of the day's play.

And with Mitchell Starc dismissing captain Ben Stokes for an 11-ball duck, it looked like the hosts would make light work of the remainder of England's line-up.

But Joe Root would pick up where he left off from Day 1 and power through for his second century for the summer.

He would form a strong partnership with Jamie Smith towards the back half of the first session, which saw England push past 300.

But a rash shot from the wicketkeeper just before Lunch brought the end of his innings, which Adam Collins described as "the very very worst of the Bazball generation".

Root continued to add runs alongside the tail for the visitors before departing for 160, with the innings ending at 384 runs.

With an extended innings break, Australia then batted with Jake Weatherald almost departing in the first over following a strong lbw appeal.

The Tasmanian representative barely looked comfortable throughout his innings, which saw England drop multiple catches before he was struck on the pads by Ben Stokes for 21.

While Weatherald struggled, Head was thriving and finding boundaries with ease to see him finish the day's play on 91 runs off 87 balls.

He would be joined on this front by Marnus Labuschagne, who too looked in good form before edging a ball to gully on 48.

This means that the visitors are 2/166 heading into Day 3 with night watchman Michael Neser on one, while Head is just nine runs from his third century of the series.

The action continues tomorrow with SEN having you covered for Jane McGrath Day at the SCG.

The coverage begins from 8am AEDT with The New Ball before moving into our pre-game show at 9am to the first ball at 10am.

That can be heard on SEN's radio network and on the SEN app.

6:00pm - Neser holds onto the strike till stumps

Australia 2/166 - Head 91, Neser 1

Michael Neser is taking on his night watchman role as seriously as it gets to protect Travis Head.

He brings up his first run on the final ball of the finals, Josh Tongue over.

This means he has faced 15 of the last 19 balls.

And after being hit on the elbow, which required medical attention, Day 2 has concluded.

5:49pm - Head enters the 90s

Australia 2/164 - Head 90, Neser 0

Are you telling me there's a chance?

There are probably two/three overs left in the game, but with Head's striking, it isn't out of the realm of possibilities that he could do it.

But he's got to go soon with multiple boundaries which he doesn't desperately need.

5:41pm - WICKET - Labuschagne

Australia 2/162 - Head 88, Neser 0

He was so close to scoring his third 50 of the series, but Marnus instead departed for 48.

He was looking to drive through the offside and a wide one from Stokes saw Labuschagne bite and fly towards Jacob Bethell.

With 20 minutes left, Australia have opted to put Michael Neser into bat rather than the traditional line-up, which would have been Steve Smith.

5:34pm - Can Head get a century before the day ends?

Australia 1/157 - Head 83, Labuschagne 48

Labuschagne and Head have now come together for a 100-run partnership.

But with 25 minutes left in the day, Head might be looking at bringing up a 100 of his own.

He only needs another 17 runs, which is within his wheelhouse.

It would be the second time this series that he has scored a century within a session.

5:25pm - Final crowd attendance

Australia 1/142 - Head 72, Labuschagne 45

Day 2 attendance here at the SCG has reached 46, 586.

That puts the total attendance for this match at 96,160.

5:15pm - Where does Head's 500 run achievement sit?

Australia 1/129 - Head 64, Labuschagne 40

With Travis Head's brillant knock here at the SCG, it has seen the South Australian cross the 500 run mark this series.

He has been by far and away the best batsmen for either nation.

Tom Morris would help put his achievement into context.

Morris: "Looking at other batters who have 500+ runs in an Ashes series."

"(It includes, Michael) Vaughan 02/03, (Ricky) Ponting 06/07, (Michael) Hussey and (Sir Alistair) Cook did it in 10/11, (Ian) Bell in 2013, (David) Warner in 13/14 and (Steve) Smith has done it three times."

"So, he's in pretty good company."

5:07pm - Injury update on Root

Australia 1/123 - Head 63, Labuschagne 35

The ECB has now confirmed that Joe Root is unlikely to play in the remainder of the day's play.

He came off the field just under an hour ago, holding his back, with the batsman experiencing discomfort while fielding.

For England's sake, they'll hope a good night's sleep helps him recover for Day 3.

5:01pm - Australia continues to build

Australia 1/116 - Head 62, Labuschagne 29

The Aussies find themselves behind by only 268 runs with nine wickets left.

And Australia's position can only strengthen if these two can stay and continue their scoring rate which is just over five runs an over.

4:46pm - Broad: The tactic England should use for Marnus

Australia 1/100 - Head 58, Labuschagne 18

The hosts have now crossed triple digits with Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne both looking in fine form and confident in their game.

But Stuart Broad has suggested that England use a similar tactic he used to try to bring about the wicket of Labuschagne.

Broad: "We used to have a little tactic (for Labuschagne)."

"So, very structured in his approach, very routined."

"So, we would try and get his brain thinking about other things."

"So, we would talk about why has he changed the colour on his bat grip?, why is he wearing different shoes?"

"Just tiny little things that take him away from his routine."

4:36pm - Head brings up 50

Australia 1/92 - Head 51, Labuschagne 17

With his ninth four for the match, Travis Head brings up 50 with Stuart Broad noting that he is in "a dangerous mood".

It's his third 50 for the series and every time he's passed 50, he has gone on to make a century in this Ashes.

Broad: "He's in a dangerous mood, as he has been on numerous occassions in this series."

"England haven't found a way to stay away from his cut shot and from his cover drive."

4:32pm - Katich: Australia will be pleased with this start

Australia 1/84 - Head 43, Labuschagne 17

Despite the loss of Jake Weatherald, Australia have started well.

And they can make a real dint into England's total if Labuschagne and Head can stay in as noted by Simon Katich.

Katich: "It's a good start for Australia, they'll be very pleased with this."

"There is still an hour and a half left today if the light holds."

"And given how busy these two are looking, they can really start to eat into this England's first innings."

4:16pm - Injury watch on Root

Australia 1/64 - Head 35, Labuschagne 6

Joe Root has just come off the ground holding his lower back.

Looks to be a back spasm.

Something to keep an eye on for the remainder of the day.

4:05pm - WICKET - Weatherald

Australia 1/57 - Head 34, Labuschagne 0

Jake Weatherald was hit on the pads and was quickly given out by Chris Gaffaney for lbw.

He did review which showed the ball clipping the leg stump for umpire's call.

He did not look comfortable throughout the majority of the innings and now departs for 21 with questions remaining around his spot in the team.

Marnus Labuschagne now comes to the crease.

3:50pm - Australia brings up 50

Australia 0/50 - Head 29, Weatherald 20

Australia has done well so far with the new ball, providing plenty of challenges for the opening pair of Travis Head and Jake Weatherald.

After a shaky start, Weatherald has started to settle in his innings while Head continues to lead the way.

If they can get through to 100 runs unbeaten, Australia are certainly capable of having a healthy lead for the third innings.

3:32pm - Weatherald is living dangerously

Australia 0/35 - Head 21, Weatherald 14

Jake Weatherald can count himself lucky that he is not in the sheds, having managed to survive two catching opportunities.

Firstly, he edged it to the slips cordon, trying to play a cut shot which just got over Joe Root.

And then, he got put down by Ben Duckett a couple of balls later which should have been taken with ease.

He's living on the edge.

3:22pm - Katich: Can Australia nullify the new ball?

Australia 0/26 - Head 21, Weatherald 5

Australia is swimming along beautifully at the moment, with Travis Head leading the charge on the run front.

If they can continue to see off the new ball, then it might see them get very close to England's total, according to Simon Katich.

Katich: "If Australia can nullify the threat of the new ball, they'll feel like they can get to that (target of 384)."

"If that happens, then the third innings is going to be crucial."

3:10pm - Weatherald almost departs

Australia 0/1 - Head 1, Weatherald 0

We haven't got through the first over before a potential wicket.

Brydon Carse managed to hit Jake Weatherald on the pads with all the England players going up for an appeal, which was given not out.

While the umpire was still making up his mind, the Tasmanian representative was halfway down the track and had to get back quickly to avoid being run out.

Not the start Australia would have wanted.

3:06pm - The third session is underway

Australia 0/0 - Head 0, Weatherald 0

Travis Head takes the first ball of Australia's innings.

The hosts trail by 384 runs with Brydon Carse bowling the first over.

2:51pm - ENGLAND ALL OUT FOR 384

With the wicket of Josh Tongue being so close to Tea, the umpires have decided to have an extended break.

2:47pm - WICKET - TONGUE

England 10/384 - Potts 1

And two balls after dismissing Root, Neser snares the wicket of Josh Tongue by bowling him for a duck.

The #NeserMustPlay movement continues to build with that wicket being his fourth for the innings (the most of out of the Australian bowlers).

2:44pm - WICKET - ROOT

England 9/384 - Potts 1, Tongue 0

Australia have finally gotten rid of Joe Root.

It took plenty of effort from Michael Neser to get to it after falling away from bowling.

But he squared up Root which saw the ball stay in the air just enough for the caught and bowled.

It brings the end of a special innings.

2:43pm - Bharat: This has been the best of Joe Root

England 8/384 - Root 160, Potts 1

Joe Root is continuing to show why the ICC rates him as the World's best Test batsman with this innings.

He's been in strong form with some beautiful play through the offside, helping take England to a strong total nearing 400.

And Bharat Sundaresan is glad that he is doing this in what is likely his last away Ashes series.

Sundaresan: "This has been the best of Joe Root."

"It's almost like he's signing off, telling Australia, this is the best of me."

"This is what you missed out on (in the previous tours)."

"The shots that he kept out of his game in Perth and Brisbane and what he thought the pitch would do."

"He has brought them back. Full repetitare. "

2:29pm - WICKET - Carse

England 8/382 - Root 159, Potts 0

Cam Green now claims his fourth wicket for the series, having removed Brydon Carse for just one run.

The Western Australian bowls a bit fuller than he has done, and he is rewarded by getting the edge.

And Alex Carey dives to his right to take it cleanly, and Australia stays hopeful of keeping England under 400.

2:17pm - WICKET - Jacks

England 7/375 - Root 153, Carse 0

Will Jacks has departed 27 with an edge which carried to Cam Green.

That is Michael Neser's second wicket and a badly needed one for Australia.

Gerard Whateley: "That was badly needed."

2:02pm - Root brings up 150

England 6/370 - Root 150, Jacks 25

Joe Root has brought up an important 150 for England.

It is proving to be a legacy-defining knock for the Yorkshireman, who has now crossed the triple-digit mark for the second time this series.

And Adam Collins and Simon Katich are certainly in agreement.

Collins: "He has done everything right for England here."

"He has been their standard bearer for so long, and so it proves again."

Katich: "Phenomonal knock. One of skill, temperament, and application."

1:48pm - Fleming: Jacks has shown a bit (this series)

England 6/362 - Root 148, Jacks 24

Will Jacks has continued to show plenty of promise after coming in for the Brisbane Test.

And this tour, at least to Damien Fleming, has only enhanced his standing.

Fleming: "Jacks has done a pretty good role with the bat coming in."

"He has shown a bit. Can definitely bat a little higher and be the second spinning option."

1:18pm - The new ball is taken

England 6/347 - Root 139, Jacks 13

We've now gone through 80 overs and with that the new ball as become available.

And Steve Smith has taken it with immediate effect with Mitchell Starc to bowl from the Paddington End.

And with that in mind, Australia needs to make the most of it, according to Damien Fleming.

Fleming: "They don't want England to put on another 100."

"They need to strike with this new ball."

1:16pm - The second session is about to get underway

England 6/336 - Root 138, Jacks 3

Joe Root and Will Jacks are out to bat.

The former captain now just needs one more run to beat his personal best score on Australian soil in Tests.

12:40pm - Marnus predicts his own breakthrough!

Marnus Labuschagne on SEN Cricket this morning told Adam Collins he wanted to take a breakthrough wicket on Day 2.

And 10 minutes before lunch, Marnus does just that!

Who would've guessed.

12:37pm - Lunch

England 6/336 - Root 138, Jacks 3

We've gone to lunch on Day 2 with three wickets falling in the first innings for Australia.

Harry Brook went cheaply early in the day, before Ben Stokes followed with an 11-ball duck not long after.

Jamie Smith dug in to put on a big partnership with Joe Root, before a silly shot gave his wicket away to the bowling of Marnus Labuschagne.

12:24pm - Smith OUT!

England 6/323 - Root 129, Jacks 0

Jamie Smith is OUT, caught on 46 off the bowling of Marnus Labuschagne.

He might not be the man you'd expect to see take the crucial wicket 10 minutes before lunch, but Marnus has struck to one of the "most abysmal wickets" you'll see.

Katich: "Jamie Smith does not know how to get through something like this... it's poor batting."

Collins: "That dismissal is the very very worst of the Bazball generation."

Sundaresan: "It was a poor innings, one of the worst you'll see in Test cricket"

12:07pm - WATCH: Joe Root brings up sensational century

12:00pm - England bring up 300 runs

England have brought up 300 runs for the first innings with five wickets still in hand.

Jamie Smith brought up the 300th win with a four off the bowling of Beau Webster.

11:58am - England continue rebuild after early wickets

England 5/299 - Root 115, Smith 37

England have rebuilt nicely after the two early wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes.

Root's century is the main talking point, but Jamie Smith has been gifted two extra lives during one of Cameron Green's earlier overs, once thanks to a no ball, and the other slipping through the gap between Alex Carey and Beau Webster at first slip.

Smith currently sits on his second highest score of the Ashes but continues to play reckless shots, also skying one that narrowly fell short of Scott Boland.

England looked in trouble after the early wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes fell.

11:16am - Joe Root gets his 100!

For the second time this series, and the second time in Australia, Joe Root has brought up a Test century.

Coming into the series, Root was yet to have scored a century in Australia. It was the last real knock on him across his illustrious Test career.

Root steadied the ship for England when they were struggling early on Day 1 and deserves all the praise for this 100.

It is his 41st Test century, drawing level with Ricky Ponting.

Whateley: "For one of history's finest cricketers, it is a crowning moment at one of its most famous grounds."

10:32am - Starc gets Stokes

England 5/229 - Root 83, Smith 0

Ben Stokes has been dismissed for a duck after a long review process.

Stokes has been caught behind after a feather of a nick went through to Alex Carey after initially not being given out.

It means Mitchell Starc has dismissed Stoke 14 times in Test cricket; the most of any bowler.

Katich: "That's definitive... all the slips went up straight away!"

Early dramas for England on Day 2.

10:23am - Greenberg left "frustrated" by bad light delays on Day 1

"I share your frustration," Greenberg told SEN Cricket, "There's a lot of things that I get frustrated in cricket but bad light's one of them.

"Yesterday, maybe more so than ever with a full house and millions watching on TV.

"I sort of caution against the remarks of players who said they couldn't pick the ball up and it was really dark and those sorts of things, but I get frustrated that we don't have a solution to this problem.

"I sound like I broken record, but we're in the entertainment business, and so I can't think of another business that continues to walk off in front of its fans.

"I preface that by saying that it has to be safe for the players, clearly, but we've got big light towers here and we've got technology, I'm sure there's a way we can make our way through it.

"I felt like there was more cricket to be played yesterday".

10:12am - Harry Brook OUT

The Aussies have finally broken the Root-Brook partnership!

Brook gets an outside edge of a Scott Boland delivery and Steve Smith has taken a terrific catch to dismiss the Englishman.

Fleming: "That is an absolutely spectacular catch!"

It brings an end to the largest partnership of the series so far.

10am - Play resumes on Day 2

England 3/211 - Root 72, Brook 78

And we're off with play beginning on Day 2.

Play begins 30 minutes earlier than yesterday due to play being called off.

Scott Boland has the ball with Joe Root and Harry Brook in the 70s.

9:45am - Labuschagne: "Everyone wants to see a spinner play"

Marnus Labuschagne has weighed in on the discourse surrounding Australian pitches and the declining use of spin, saying that wickets in Australia are losing their individuality.

The conversation around the use of spin in Australia, with the Aussies not playing a spinner in four of their last six Tests and England opting against a first-choice spinner all Ashes, has been dominant throughout this series.

"I think everyone wants the characteristic of each wicket around the country to be its own," Labuschange told SEN Cricket.

"Probably at the moment it feels like the wickets are sort of merging into one a little bit. I think everyone wants to see a spinner play.

"It's probably just where we're at with the wickets around the country right now."

9:30am - Broad: Australia might "live to regret" not picking spinner

"You've got to change the rhythm at times," Broad said on SEN Cricket.

"Not necessarily has to spin, but you want to be able to get a batter triggering different and just change the tempo of the game.

"It looks like a Steve Smith decision... that he doesn't want to play a spinner. He thinks the pitches are seeming around so much that he doesn't need a spinner but at 3 for 211... Australia might live to regret that.

"Ultimately, yes, they might not bowl in conditions later in the game that might suit the spin, but you just never know on surfaces.

"One just might grip, a batter might just make a mistake and slog sweep one down deep mid-wicket, deep mid, and it feels like a bit of a missed opportunity for Australia.

"Nathan Lyon's 38. He's got a torn hamstring. He might come back and might have a hunger to play for two more years or whatever, but they're going to have to blood a spinner at some stage.

"Just give Todd Murphy a go, just see what he does.

"I thought the attack looked quite samey yesterday and, and they're not going to learn anything from Todd Murphy mixing the drinks."

9am - Welcome to the live blog

A big warm welcome to wherever you may be finding us for Day 2 of the Fifth Ashes Test here at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Day 1 wasn't quite Australia's day despite a positive start with three quick wickets in the first 12 overs.

But with a good night's rest, they'll be hopeful that today is more bountiful for their wicket haul.

England, on the other hand, are hoping that their two best batters can continue to accumulate runs and really put the hosts to the sword with a big total to chase.