Failure to get a Head drops England into trouble

JACKS FUMBLE ALLOWS TRAVIS TO KEEP ON RUNNING THE SHOW

- FROM RORY DOLLARD in Sydney

JACOB BETHELL threw his support behind Will Jacks after his nightmare drop - as Travis Head's third century of the Ashes series put Australia in command of this fifth Test in Sydney.

Head followed match-winning tons in Perth and Adelaide with his first at the SCG, maintaining a furious pace as he cracked 163 off 166 balls, but was gifted a life by Jacks on 121.

After steadying himself under the most regulation of catches at deep midwicket Jacks, who pulled off a one-handed blinder in Brisbane last month, took his eye off the ball and saw it bobble harmlessly to the turf.

It was probably the worst piece of fielding yet from a side whose standards have been markedly below those of the hosts from start to finish, and seemed to cast a pallor of gloom over the team.