Ashes Finale: Root And Brook Put England In Control As Rain Cuts Short Day 1 At SCG

England found stability through Joe Root and Harry Brook, who guided the visitors to 211/3 on the opening day of the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Persistent rain and lightning later forced officials to call early stumps after limited play.

Dark clouds gathered steadily during the afternoon, with rain setting in shortly before the scheduled tea interval.

Consequently, worsening conditions led to an early close, with England ending the day in a strong position ahead of Day 2.

Following his toss win, England captain Ben Stokes chose to bat in the New Year’s Ashes Test, looking to make early use of the surface. Initially, England’s batters approached the innings with caution against Australia’s pace-only attack.

England’s openers began watchfully, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett adding 35 runs before the first breakthrough. However, the stand ended in the seventh over when Mitchell Starc dismissed Duckett. The batter edged a wide delivery to Alex Carey.

Soon after, Crawley was trapped lbw by Michael Neser for 16, despite a review. Moments later, Jacob Bethell fell for 10 after edging Scott Boland, leaving England in trouble at 57 for 3.

Thereafter, Joe Root and Harry Brook came together to arrest the collapse and rebuild the innings. Initially cautious, the pair gradually seized control as the pitch eased and Australia’s quicks struggled for consistency.

Root capitalised on loose width with trademark strokes square of the wicket, while Brook responded confidently to short-pitched bowling. Together, they blunted Australia’s all-pace attack, notable for the absence of a specialist spinner at the SCG for the first time since 1888.

Both batters reached their half-centuries in the same over, with Root scoring his off 65 balls and Brook bringing up his fifty from 63 deliveries.

As a result, their unbroken 154-run stand became England’s highest partnership of the series and decisively swung momentum.

At the close of play, England were 211/3, with Harry Brook unbeaten on 78 and Joe Root on 72. Meanwhile, Michael Neser and Scott Boland picked up one wicket apiece for Australia.

With their key batters set at the crease, England will aim to build a commanding total when play resumes. Weather permitting, play is expected to continue on Day 2.

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