England's batsmen, led by the experienced Joe Root and the promising Harry Brook, staged a determined recovery on a frustrating first day of the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Persistent rain and bad light allowed only 45 overs of play, but the visitors made them count, finishing the day on a solid 211 for the loss of three wickets.
Early Promise and Swift Collapse
Choosing to bat first after winning the toss, England started positively. Opener Ben Duckett looked in fine touch, confidently taking on Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc. He struck five fluent boundaries, driving and clipping with authority to give the innings early momentum. However, Starc had the last laugh, producing a sharp delivery outside off stump that Duckett edged, ending the opening stand.
The innings then threatened to unravel quickly around the drinks break. Zak Crawley was trapped leg-before-wicket by a well-directed in-swinger from Michael Neser. Soon after, debutant Jacob Bethell edged a delivery from Scott Boland to the wicketkeeper. From a position of promise, England found themselves in a spot of bother at 57 for 3.
The Root-Brook Rescue Act
With the tourists in need of stability, the experienced Joe Root was joined at the crease by the talented Harry Brook. The pair responded with immense maturity and control, constructing an unbroken partnership that completely changed the complexion of the day's play. Root, the anchor, played with his trademark precision, batting late and close to his body. At the other end, Brook blended sensible defence with selective aggression.
The Australian seamers, including Starc, Neser, and Boland, found occasional movement but struggled to maintain consistent pressure as the partnership grew. Brook showcased his class with a crisp extra-cover drive off all-rounder Cameron Green, while Root worked the ball into gaps, rotating the strike efficiently. Their unbroken 154-run stand for the fourth wicket wrested the momentum firmly back in England's favour.
Milestones and Weather Woes
Both batsmen reached well-deserved half-centuries. Root got to his mark with understated assurance, while Brook reached his with a flashing drive. Brook also displayed his power, launching a towering pull shot for six. He did enjoy a slice of luck, surviving a top-edged pull, but largely looked in command.
The pair had just crossed the 150-run partnership mark when bad light forced the players to take an early tea. Rain arrived soon after the interval, and with the light continuing to deteriorate, play was abandoned for the day an hour early. This brought a truncated but highly productive opening day to a close for England, with Root unbeaten on 72 and Brook not out on a brisk 78.
The weather interruption means the match is already behind its over rate, setting up a potentially compressed and exciting contest over the coming days, with England holding the advantage after the first day's play.
