Joe Root and Harry Brook shared an unbroken 154-run stand to guide England to 211-3 on a rain-affected opening day of the fifth Ashes Test. Despite only 45 overs being possible due to bad light and lightning, the pair rescued the tourists from an early collapse, maintaining a brisk scoring rate of 4.6 runs per over.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, England captain Ben Stokes watched his senior batters stabilize the innings at a sold-out Sydney Cricket Ground, ensuring the tourists claimed the early advantage in the series finale.
The morning session initially favored the Australian pace attack as England’s top order slumped to 57-3 within the first 13 overs. Ben Duckett struck five boundaries in a quickfire 27 before edging Mitchell Starc to wicketkeeper Alex Carey; the fifth time Starc has dismissed the opener this series.
Zak Crawley followed shortly after, trapped lbw by Michael Neser for 16, and Jacob Bethell nicked a delivery from Scott Boland to depart for 10. The flurry of early wickets sparked concerns of another rapid finish following the two-day Tests in Perth and Melbourne.
Root and Brook responded with the highest partnership of England's tour, punishing an Australian attack that lacked its usual accuracy once the new ball lost its shine. Root reached his 67th Test fifty with trademark glides behind square, while Brook survived a short-ball barrage and a reprieve on 45 to finish the day on 78.
Brook's counter-attack was put through by a 97-meter pull shot for six off Cameron Green, who struggled for rhythm and conceded 57 runs from his eight overs. While Australia coach Andrew McDonald noted earlier this week that "the Ashes are done" regarding the trophy, both sides are still competing for vital World Test Championship points.
Australia’s team selection drew keen attention, as the hosts opted against playing a specialist spinner at the SCG for the first time since 1888. All-rounder Beau Webster was preferred over off-spinner Todd Murphy, a decision that left stand-in captain Steve Smith admitting he was "backed into a corner" by the green-tinged conditions.
With the pitch featuring only 5mm of grass; half the length seen at the maligned MCG surface, Australia’s all-pace strategy appeared increasingly challenged as the surface slowed and the partnership grew.
The day began with a spine-tingling tribute to the first responders of last month's Bondi mass shooting, drawing a standing ovation from a crowd of 49,574, the largest test attendance at the SCG in half a century. Although Australia has already retained the urn, the match remains a critical audition for the future of the England hierarchy under head coach Brendon McCullum.
