England's Joe Root and Harry Brook Forge Unbeaten Partnership on Rain-Halted First Day of Fifth Ashes Test at SCG
On the first day of the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), England reached 211-3 in 45 overs before play was halted due to bad light and a storm.
Joe Root remained unbeaten on 72 runs and Harry Brook unbeaten on 78, together forging an unbroken partnership of 154 runs, the best partnership England has achieved on the tour.
England had experienced a shaky start, slipping to 57-3 after early wickets. Contributions came from Duckett with 27, Crawley who was lbw for 16, and Bethell dismissed for 10 before the Root-Brook stand stabilized the innings.
Australia, trailing 3-1 in the series, opted not to use a spinner for the first time at the SCG since the 1887-88 season. They dropped Todd Murphy and brought in all-rounder Beau Webster for Jhye Richardson.
Early wickets were taken by Mitchell Starc, Michael Neser, and Cameron Green, which put England under pressure at 35-0 and then 57-3.
Brook batted with attacking intent, including hitting a six off Cameron Green, while Root played a more classic defensive game. Commentator Michael Vaughan remarked that Brook appeared to bat as if he were bored.
Root, who had previously scored his first century in Australia in the Brisbane Test, seemed poised to build on that achievement in Sydney.
Rain and lightning brought an early end to the day's play, with the match being abandoned at 5pm and no further play possible.
With Australia leading the series 3-1, the Ashes were effectively decided in Australia's favor.
