134-year-old record shattered: Australia create history in Ashes, achieve rare Test feat | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: Australia etched their name in a rare chapter of 134 years of Test history on the third day of the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, producing a batting effort unmatched in the rivalry since the 19th century. Australia, chasing a 4-1 series win after the shock defeat at the MCG in the Boxing Day Test, are firmly in control of the fifth and final Test.Smith recorded 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 first innings lead of 134 after England were dismissed for 384 despite Joe Root’s sublime 160.What made Australia’s innings truly historic was the sheer consistency in the batting order. The hosts put together seven partnerships of 50 runs or more, a feat achieved only once before in the 134-year history of Test cricket – by India at The Oval in 2007 under the captaincy of Rahul Dravid, in a match remembered for Anil Kumble’s only Test century. Australia failed to match that benchmark, with the only under-50 stand being the 27-run partnership between Alex Carey and Smith.
Most 50+ partnerships per innings in Ashes
| Team | More than 50 partnerships in one round | Place | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 7 | SCG | 2025 |
| England | 6 | Adelaide | 1892 |
| England | 6 | Brisbane | 1928 |
| Australia | 6 | Brisbane | 2006 |
| Australia | 6 | Brisbane | 2025 |
In the long history of the Ashes, seven half-century partnerships in a single innings have never been recorded until now. The previous record for the competition dated back to 1892, when England ran six such stands in Adelaide – a record which remained intact for 134 years. Only four other Ashes innings have featured six 50-plus partnerships, highlighting the paucity of Australia’s efforts at the SCG.
