Sports · 8 January 2026
Australia shatter 134-year-old Ashes record with seven 50-plus partnerships
Exam-focused facts from the 8 January 2026 current affairs briefing.
Key facts
- Australia posted seven partnerships of 50 or more runs in their first innings at the SCG, a feat never before achieved in the 134-year history of the Ashes.
- The hosts closed Day 3 on 529 for 7, securing a 134-run first-innings lead after England were bowled out for 384.
- Steve Smith finished unbeaten on 129, while Travis Head had earlier struck a blistering 163.