Travis Head scored a blistering 163 in the SCG Test (Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: Australia etched their name into a rare 134-year-old chapter of Test history on Day 3 of the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, producing a batting effort unmatched in the rivalry since the 19th century. Australia, pushing for a 4-1 series victory after the shock defeat at the MCG in the Boxing Day Test, are firmly in control in the fifth and final Test.Smith registered the 37th Test century of his career and remained unbeaten on 129 at stumps, following Travis Head’s blistering 163 earlier in the innings.

Australia closed the third day on 529 for 7, holding a commanding first-innings lead of 134 runs after England were dismissed for 384 despite Joe Root’s sublime 160.What made Australia’s innings truly historic was the sheer consistency across the batting order. The hosts stitched together seven partnerships of 50 or more runs, a feat achieved only once before in the 134-year history of Test cricket — by India at The Oval in 2007 under Rahul Dravid, in a match remembered for Anil Kumble’s lone Test century. Australia fell just short of equalling that benchmark, with the lone sub-50 stand being the 27-run partnership between Alex Carey and Smith.

Most 50+ partnerships an innings in Ashes

In the long history of the Ashes, seven half-century partnerships in a single innings had never been recorded until now. The previous best in the contest dated back to 1892, when England managed six such stands at Adelaide — a record that stood untouched for 134 years. Only four other Ashes innings have featured six 50-plus partnerships, underlining the rarity of Australia’s effort at the SCG.