Joe Root equals Ricky Ponting for Test hundreds while Travis Head surges towards his own on day two

SCG: Sydney's weather managed to hold off from having an impact on day two in the final Ashes Test as Joe Root equalled Ricky Ponting for Test hundreds and Travis Head moved towards his own milestone.

England started the day at 3-211 with Root pushing towards his 41st century.

The former captain lost Harry Brook (84) and Ben Stokes (0) early but managed to reach his second ton of the series.

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Root is now four hundreds behind Jacques Kallis on the all-time list and trails leader Sachin Tendulkar by 10.

England were bowled out for 384 before the tea break in an innings where they would've been hoping for more.

Jamie Smith was the big talking point, dismissed for 46 just before lunch by playing a horror shot off Marnus Labuschagne's bowling.

Root finished with 160 and it took a brilliant caught and bowled effort from Michael Neser to dismiss him.

Neser finished with 4-60 to have the best figures for Australia.

In reply, Jake Weatherald went into his innings knowing he needs runs after a lean start to his Test career.

Weatherald had luck, dropped twice in his innings, before Ben Stokes trapped him lbw on 21 at 1-57.

Marnus Labuschagne, another man needing runs, looked solid for his 48 before he edged Ben Stokes to Jacob Bethell in the slips.

A loss of concentration may have been Labuschagne's undoing after he clashed with Stokes two overs beforehand.

There was no need for panic though with Head having already passed his 50 at the other end and keeping the innings stead.

Michael Neser then came in as nightwatchman and was struck on the elbow with the final ball of play.

Stumps were then called just before 6pm (AEDT) with the covers brought out immediately. Stokes at the top of his mark shook his head but there was nothing he could do about it.

Travis Head finished the day on 91 not out while Australia is 2-166 trailing by 218 runs.