Cricket
Root and Brook stand tall as rain cuts short opening day of final Ashes Test─── MORGAN PIEK 10:15 Sun, 04 Jan 2026
England ended day one of the fifth and final Ashes Test in a solid position, reaching 211/3 before rain and poor light brought an early close to play at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.
Only 45 overs were possible as Sydney’s fickle weather had the final say, frustrating players and fans alike. With the Ashes already out of reach, England are playing for pride, but they showed plenty of fight after winning the toss and opting to bat first.
Bad light, lightning and rain saw only half of the days play possible at the SCG. Photo: Cricinfo
The Three Lions made a brisk start before Mitchell Starc struck early, with Ben Duckett edging behind to Alex Carey for a lively 27 off 24 balls. England were 35/1 after just 6.5 overs.
Not long after, South African-born Michael Neser trapped Zak Crawley LBW for 16 to leave the tourists wobbling at 51/2. Scott Boland then joined the party when Jakob Bethell nicked through to Carey for 10, reducing England to 57/3 and handing Australia early momentum.
Enter Joe Root and Harry Brook. The pair absorbed the pressure and steadily turned the tide, showing patience and class on a surface that demanded discipline.
Root, who spent part of his schooling at St Andrew’s School in Bloemfontein, rolled back the years with a typically composed knock, while Brook played with freedom when the opportunity arose.
Joe Root. Photo: Cricinfo
Together they added an unbeaten 154-run partnership for the fourth wicket, taking England to 211/3 at stumps. Root was 72 not out off 103 balls, striking boundaries with trademark precision, while Brook finished unbeaten on 78 off 92 deliveries, peppering the ropes with six fours and sixes.
For Australia, Neser was the pick of the bowlers with the most economical figures of 1/36 from ten overs. Boland claimed 1/48 in 13, while Starc returned 1/53 from 12 overs.
After play, Brook admitted the fading light made conditions tricky in the middle and added to the frustration of losing so much time to the elements.
Mitchell Starc dismissing Ben Duckett after a fast start by the opening batter. Photo: Cricinfo
“It was dark and then obviously we had rain, so we were just sat around waiting for it to be called off,” said Brook.
“We could hardly see the ball at the end. Everyone was in the same boat – the umpires, us, even the Aussie boys. We kind of knew rain was coming, but it’s still frustrating to lose half a day.”
Play at the SCG is scheduled to resume on Monday at 01:00 South African time, weather permitting.
