The National Times - Head powers to 162 as Australia reel in England at 5th Ashes Test

The destructive opener brought up his hundred off just 105 balls to go with the phenomenal match-winning 123 he made in Perth and 170 at Adelaide.

It steered the hosts to 281-3 at the break, adding 115 to their overnight 166-2 to trail England by 103, whose total was built on the back of Joe Root's magnificent 160.

Steve Smith, who was dropped on 12, was not out 16 alongside Head, who was also put down on 121.

The hosts lead the series 3-1 and have already retained the Ashes, with England desperate for another win after victory at the previous Test in Melbourne.

Head resumed on 91 and nightwatchman Michael Neser on one after Jake Weatherald (21) and Marnus Labuschagne (48) were out before stumps on Monday.

Neser frustrated England for 90 deliveries before becoming the only wicket to fall in the session after a gritty 24, caught behind off Brydon Carse.

Head clattered an early boundary through midwicket off Ben Stokes and reached three figures with his 17th four, crunched through the covers from Josh Tongue, windmilling his bat in celebration.

It was his 12th Test century and first in Sydney to cement his reputation as one of the game's most versatile batsmen.

The 32-year-old only moved to the top of the order in the second innings of the first Test in Perth due to Usman Khawaja's back injury, but he has made the position his own.

With his hundred secure, Head banged three straight fours off Matthew Potts then had a massive let off on 121 when he pulled Carse and Will Jacks dropped a sitter near the ropes.

A big six off Potts took him to 148 and he passed 150 with another four from Tongue.

Neser ably stuck around to foil England, who wasted their last two reviews on him.

Batting like a seasoned pro, he smacked four boundaries before getting a thin edge to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.

Steve Smith had a let-off on 12 when he was dropped at leg slip by Zak Crawley.

S.Mitchell--TNT