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Bad news, I\u2019m afraid. The scorers in front of the media centre at the SCG are indicating play will be abandoned for today with a 10am resumption tomorrow. Jeers ring out around the crowd and across the world. Despite no rain, floodlights at full whack, an hour of play left in the day and at least three hours of daylight left in Sydney, umpires Ahsan Raza and Chris Gaffeney have elected to call stumps and leave a full house at the SCG hanging. A terrible look for Australian cricket but one we\u2019ve become all too accustomed to in Sydney, alas.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.07 EST<\/p>\n Promising signs, folks. The rain has stopped at the SCG and skies are clearing. The crowd, so patient during this delay, has started roaring again as umpires ready to inspect the pitch.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.00 EST<\/p>\n Yesterday was the 23-year anniversary of a famous Ashes innings, one commemorated with a bronze trophy at the SCG today<\/a>. In 2003, Steve Waugh was captain of Australia and, after a lean run with the bat, under massive pressure to hold his spot in the side. I was there that day and remember the rapturous reception Waugh\u2019s home crowd gave him when his time to bat arrived. I also remember Waugh being so determined to set his critics straight, he didn\u2019t walk but ran from the dressing room. Unfortunately he found a portly security guard waddling ahead of him in the player race leading to the field. Desperate to get onto the arena, Waugh whacked the guard smartly on the backside to clear the way \u2013 the first blow in a fabulous knock.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.50 EST<\/p>\n Good news: Umpires are on the field inspecting the wicket. Bad news: it\u2019s still raining at the SCG, albeit easing up a little.<\/p>\n Michael Peel<\/strong> is watching the rain in Sydney from rainy London and feeling reflective on the future of English cricket. \u201cAs I understand it, Bazball is about batsmen taking risks learnt from shorter forms of the game to make it more exciting. It doesn\u2019t need to go completely (though the name can), but must be used judiciously.\u201d<\/p>\n Judicious: (def). <\/strong>having, showing, or done with good judgement<\/a> or sense.<\/strong><\/p>\n Unfortunately that\u2019s not really the Bazball way is it? But after 11 days of headless chook batting led to yet another Ashes series shellacking, plenty of people agree with you, Michael. Will England coach and Bazball architect Brendon McCullum keep his job when the ashes are sifted from the wreckage of this tour back home? Captain Ben Stokes is hoping so.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.24 EST<\/p>\n Australia have fielded a weird XI for this Test \u2013 no specialist spinner (Nathan Lyon<\/strong> is injured, Todd Murphy<\/strong> omitted) and two allrounders (the out-of-form Cameron Green<\/strong> and out-of-favour Beau Webster<\/strong>) while axing another allrounder of sorts in middle-order bat and short-form wicketkeeper Josh Inglis<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Of course with Usman Khawaja<\/strong>\u2019s retirement after this Test, Australia could be in the market for an opener and\/or a middle-order batter. Can Jake Weatherald<\/strong> hold his spot as Travis Head<\/strong>\u2019s opening partner? If so, do Australia need a specialist middle-order batter instead? Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting<\/strong> says yes and reckons 19-year-old Victorian allrounder Oliver Peake<\/strong> is the man most likely.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n With rain converging on the SCG from the north and the west, the heavy covers are on and the crowd has retreated to the bars and pie carts under the cover of the venerable old grandstands. However, it\u2019s worth nothing that day one carries the worst forecast and although a sprinkle may yet appear tomorrow, days 3-5 are clear so we will see plenty of cricket in Sydney.<\/p>\n England will hope so. They are flying at 211-3 and looking as ominous as they did in 2011-12 when Alastair Cook (189) and Ian Bell (115) and Matt Prior (118) led England to a massive 644 to snatch victory by an innings and 83 runs<\/a> \u2013 their first Ashes win in Australia in 24 years and, until last week\u2019s win in Melbourne, their most recent Ashes victory in Australia.<\/p>\n That game also marked Usman Khawaja\u2019s <\/strong>Test debut.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.01 EST<\/p>\n Eyes are already turning to the 2027 Ashes and former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting is tipping 23-year-old Victorian Campbell Kellaway<\/strong> to partner Travis Head as Australia\u2019s opener on that tour. Kellaway has only played 39 first-class games and averages just 33 with the bat but he certainly caught a few eyes with his knock against England in the Prime Minister\u2019s XI game earlier this summer\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.48 EST<\/p>\n Although rain often blights the Sydney Test, Ali Martin wasn\u2019t joking when he called it a \u201cbucket-list venue\u201d where career\u2019s ignite and eras \u2013 even that of Bazball \u2013 may end\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The lighter hessian covers at the SCG have now been covered by the heavier plastic sheets so it looks like serious rain will soon follow this heavy half-hour of thunder and cloud.<\/p>\n For Sydneysiders, this weather delay is more of the same. The 2022 Ashes Test here was similarly affected by storms and bad light and the 2023 Test against South Africa copped 25mm of rain despite Usman Khawaja scoring a memorable 195.<\/p>\n Shane Warne always argued for the Sydney Test being staged earlier in the summer when the weather is typically better and given NSW is again facing down severe storms and flooding and the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting \u201cdamaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall for Sydney\u201d, there\u2019s plenty to support a rejigged schedule in future.<\/p>\n After a 13-day series so far, surely Cricket<\/a> Australia and host broadcaster Channel Seven can\u2019t afford to lose any more days of Test cricket from the home summer?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.35 EST<\/p>\n With the 2025-26 Ashes decided inside 11 days and the fourth Test done and dusted in two, Guardian readers have had plenty of time to reflect on their favourite Ashes cricketers. Who\u2019s yours?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Even with Acadaca thundering on the OBO, we\u2019ve lost Sumit Rahman<\/strong> to the Land of Nod.<\/p>\n It\u2019s been great to stay up for a few hours and watch some proper Test Match cricket. I guess now is the time to go to bed. I\u2019m sure I heard one of the TNT Sports folk mention a few hours ago that Sydney loses more playing time to rain than Manchester does so I guess I shouldn\u2019t be too surprised by this weather? Best wishes from a freezing cold UK!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n With an early tea taken due to bad light, fans at the SCG are getting a tad snakey that players are still off the field despite the floodlight on full-bore and no rain falling. There\u2019s grey clouds aplenty and lots of rolling thunder, typical summer conditions for the home town of an act born here in Sin City\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Max Thomas<\/strong> writes in liking what he\u2019s seeing from Harry Brook in his 78 not out and urges a promotion up the order.<\/p>\n If Harry Brook graduates to England\u2019s top four, who moves? In the latter stages of his career England would surely want to keep Root at 4 given his record there, and Bethell looks like a long-term player. Even if Bethell ends up batting 6 eventually, I just think putting top four responsibility on Brook\u2019s shoulders could take away the youthful aggression that makes him so difficult at times to bowl to. He\u2019s already vice-captain \u2013 if it ain\u2019t broke, don\u2019t fix it.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n It\u2019s a good point, Max. Cricket<\/a> custom usually affords a youngster like Bethell a softer start in the middle-order before runs and experience pushes him up the order. Brook is now 26 and definitely a top-four player so if not now, when? But as for taking that youthful aggression away from him? Vice captaincy hasn\u2019t curbed any of his enthusiasm for freewheeling occasionally brain-fart strokeplay, so would the responsibilities of being a top-order man do it?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n An early tea has been called by umpires at the Sydney Cricket<\/a> Ground. The covers are coming on but the rain has not yet descended. Storms are apparently coming from the west but England\u2019s malestrom hails from the north as two Yorkshireman in 35-year-old Joe Root and 26-year-old Harry Brook seize the momentum on day one via a huge partnership of 154 runs from 193 balls.<\/p>\n Bad light has stopped play at the SCG, with Joe Root (72*) and Harry Brook (78*) at the crease. <\/p>\n \ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc65\udb40\udc6e\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc7f 2\ufe0f\u20e31\ufe0f\u20e31\ufe0f\u20e3-3\ufe0f\u20e3 pic.twitter.com\/ZoufbizPho<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 4, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n For all their pleasant pinkness, Sydney Tests have been cursed by the weather gods for many years. Josh Nicholas<\/strong> reflected on the SCG\u2019s reputation for sogginess this time last summer.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Bad light stops play (England 211-3)<\/p>\n No rain (yet) but conditions are so gloomy the umpires have deemed it unsafe for further play. Bugger! The players leave the field and the huge Sydney crowd groans. Are the SCG floodlights not enough to keep play under way? Clearly not. But why? Fans deserve answers, SCG Trustees.<\/p>\n For England, so clearly ascendent, it\u2019s bad news. For Australia, luckless and leaking runs, it\u2019s an opportunity to re-set and re-think their plans. How will they break this 153-run partnership between Root and Brook? Their bowlers are out of answers (and questions) and captain Steve Smith looks a little lost without a spinner to turn to.<\/p>\n Have Australia cooked their own goose by not picking a spin specialist for an SCG Test for the first time since 1888?<\/p>\n Bad light stops play before tea on day one of the fifth Ashes at the SCG. Photograph: Asanka Brendon Ratnayake\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.10 EST<\/p>\n 45th over: England 211-3 (Root 72, Brook 78) <\/strong>Finally, a bowling change by Steve Smith as Michael Neser replaces Scott Boland. The burly Queenslander has 1-33 from his nine overs so far and steams in under fading light in Sydney. Root watches and waits on the first couple then clips one square for a run. Neser\u2019s reply is a fuller ball but Root punches it past deep square leg for a single.<\/p>\n Eamonn Maloney<\/strong> writes in. \u201cI really thought Australia were bluffing and Webster was going to bowl his spin, which they\u2019d not have seen anything of.\u201d<\/p>\n Not so far, Eamonn. But if these clouds keep bruising Australia may have to resort to Webster\u2019s part-time tweakers. Or even Travis Head\u2019s mystery balls.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 44th over: England 208-3 (Root 69, Brook 77) <\/strong>BANG! goes Harry Brook. That was short from Green first up and Brook stepped back and swatted it through covers to the rope. England\u2019s run rate is now climbing to five-per-over while Green\u2019s expense sheet is nudging eight-runs for every over. Keep rain dancing, Aussie fans.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 43rd over: England 202-3 (Root 69, Brook 72) <\/strong>The floodlights are on at the SCG and storm clouds are roiling overhead. Harry Brook and Joe Root have reigned supreme since the 13th over when they came together with England 56-3. Can Australia get some wind in their sails before the heavens open? Scott Boland is bending his back manfully to plug up the runs and he succeeds, with just a single from the over.<\/p>\n There were moving scenes at the SCG this morning when Ahmed al-Ahmed, hero of the Bondi terror attack, was given a lap of honour with his fellow first responders. Thanks, Ahmed.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 42nd over: England 200-3 (Root 68, Brook 71) <\/strong>Already under pressure to hold his place, Cameron Green has been belted today. He starts his seventh at 0-45 and Brook takes a pair of twos from a couple of fat half-volleys through midwicket. Surely Smith changes the tune? This partnership has powered to 142 from 174 balls. Root is denied a four from a straight drive into the stumps at the non-strikers end. But the Barmy Army get to cheer England raising the 200.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 41st over: England 194-3 (Root 67, Brook 66) <\/strong>England are well on top. Joe Root notches his 300th run for the series from Scott Boland\u2019s 12th over. This has got shades of the 454 partnership Root and Brooks amassed in 2024. Steve Smith is sweating and looking to the heavens. The bright blue skies of the first session are dimming now as grey clouds gather overhead. Is he praying for rain\u2026 or spin?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.38 EST<\/p>\n 40th over: England 191-3 (Root 65, Brook 65) <\/strong>Cameron Green returns and immediately draws a lofted edge over the slips cordon from Joe Root. Well controlled by the veteran though. Can\u2019t say the same for Harry Brook\u2019s top-edged hook next ball. His luck holds again though as it falls just short of the fine leg fielder. Now he nails the shot. Green strays down leg at hip-height and Brook swivels and swats with typical abandon. That\u2019s gone ten rows back for SIX.<\/p>\n Harry Brook hits Cameron Green for six on day one of the fifth Ashes Test. Photograph: Dean Lewins\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.40 EST<\/p>\n 39th over: England 181-3 (Root 63, Brook 57) <\/strong>Easy runs from Scott Boland\u2019s 11th over as Root and Brook rotate the strike with tap \u2018n\u2019 go cricket. Brendon McCullum has the crossword open on his lap, a sign his side are cruising. Wonder if Steve Smith is regretting not picking a spinner yet?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 38th over: England 179-3 (Root 62, Brook 56) <\/strong>Steve Smith has kept the five outfielders back for Cameron Green\u2019s fifth over. Is he about to spring a trap? The bait is dangled first ball, a short ball on leg stump line. Root swings hard and flat, hooking it off his nose behind square. Fielded on the rope so just a single but a sign England are growing in confidence on this slow SCG pitch. Brook swipes to the same spot next ball. Green pitches his last ball even shorter and Root hooks for FOUR, splitting the fielders. Great shot!<\/p>\n Joe Root hooks for four on day one of the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG. Photograph: Dean Lewins\/EPAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.37 EST<\/p>\n 37th over: England 173-3 (Root 55, Brook 57)<\/strong> Thanks Tim. Sterling call! What a fascinatingly poised fifth Test we have here in Sydney. Australia won the first hour with three quick wickets inside 13 overs but England have bounced back in fine style, adding 113 from 139 balls.<\/p>\n Marnus Labuschagne has just been picked up on the stump mike, observing: \u201cThey\u2019re getting off strike a little easy. We\u2019re trying to slow the game down. Pitch seems a fraction slow.\u201d He\u2019s right. Both batters work easy singles as Boland continues to search for his line. He\u2019s 1\/40 from his ten overs, unusually profligate stats for the usually miserly Melburnian.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Drinks! A good hour for England<\/p>\n 36th over: England 170-3 (Root 55, Brook 54)<\/strong> Webster, like his twin Green, is proving easy to score off. Four or five singles and that\u2019s drinks, with England winning that hour. And that\u2019s my stint done, so I\u2019ll slope off to bed and leave you in the safe hands of Angus Fontaine. Thanks for your company.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.15 EST<\/p>\n 35th over: England 164-3 (Root 51, Brook 52)<\/strong> Starc continues, bowling length to Root and liquorice allsorts to Brooks. They take three singles, one of them off a no-ball.<\/p>\n \u201cHello,\u201d says Abhishek Chopra. \u201cExcuse me if this has been covered before but what\u2019s the story behind England\u2019s black arm bands in this Test?\u201d It hasn\u2019t been covered before \u2013 my fault. It\u2019s in memory of Hugh Morris, who has died of cancer. He played a few Tests for England and captained Glamorgan, but more significantly was a much-loved administrator for both his county and the england and Wales Cricket<\/a> Board, which he embodied. He it was who appointed Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower, which led to that rare triumph in Australia in 2010-11.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Milestones galore!<\/p>\n 34th over: England 161-3 (Root 50, Brook 51)<\/strong> Smith turns to his fifth seamer, and second all-rounder, Beau Webster. Root cuts for a single and hits two milestones with one stone: his own fifty (off 65 balls) and the hundred partnership (off just 20.2 overs). It\u2019s his second fifty of the series, following that long-awaited hundred in Brisbane, and it\u2019s England\u2019s third hundred partnership, after 117 by Root and Crawley (also in Brisbane) and 106 by Stokes and Archer in Adelaide. Brook plays a cut too, for four, to bring up his fifty \u2013 51 off 63 balls. And both of them could have been out for nowt.<\/p>\n Harry Brook and Joe Root both reach a half-century on day one of the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG. Photograph: Saeed Khan\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.24 EST<\/p>\n 33rd over: England 155-3 (Root 49, Brook 46)<\/strong> QED. Brook gets a bouncer from Starc, can\u2019t resist the swish, hits it upwards and is lucky to find that it lands between two men in the deep-square zone. Just let it go!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 32nd over: England 152-3 (Root 48, Brook 44)<\/strong> Brook, facing Neser, starts the over with a glide for four, straight out of the Root playbook, which brings up the 150. Then he plays three forward-defensives in a row, before cutting for a single. He\u2019s two batters in one, a classicist and an iconoclast. I\u2019m not sure he should be anywhere near the captaincy: just let him bat, and bat, and work out how to cope when opposing pacemen try to bomb him out.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 31st over: England 147-3 (Root 48, Brook 39)<\/strong> Smith goes even more defensive for Brook, removing all the close catchers bar one (at fly slip) and setting a trap for the hook. He has fallen for that a few times and now he flirts with doom again, aiming a carve over the fly slip, getting a top edge and taking a streaky single. For Root, the field resumes its normal shape \u2013 and he plays a handsome off-drive for four.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 30th over: England 142-3 (Root 44, Brook 38)<\/strong> Neser continues, strays onto the pads and sees Brook put him away to the rope. That\u2019s only Brook\u2019s third four, whereas Root has six \u2013 but it\u2019s at least partly because Steve Smith has spread the field for Brook. The partnership, which only passed 50 in the 24th over, has raced to 85.<\/p>\n Harry Brook plays a steady knock during day one of the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG. Photograph: Cameron Spencer\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.28 EST<\/p>\n 29th over: England 137-3 (Root 44, Brook 33)<\/strong> Three singles off Starc\u2019s over. The ex-players are all saying what a good pitch this is. There was plenty of movement this morning, both seam and swing, but it\u2019s hot now, and humid, and the consensus is that these two batters need to cash in while they can.<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s your favourite Waugh?\u201d asks the scoreboard, rather brutally. The crowd are voting and it\u2019s 50-50, then 52-48 to Steve. Depends what you want a Waugh for: Steve to bat for your life, Mark to enhance it with his elegance.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 28th over: England 134-3 (Root 43, Brook 31)<\/strong> Root has been dabbing and cutting behind square as if he was batting at Headingley, but now there\u2019s a deep backward point, so he adjusts and cuts a short ball from Boland just in front of square. Four more! Root is now England\u2019s leading scorer in the series with 277 runs, overtaking Crawley (272) \u2013 and Brook is not far behind on 263. Among the Aussies, Head and Carey are out in front but the rest are behind those three Poms.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 27th over: England 130-3 (Root 39, Brook 31)<\/strong> A tighter over from Starc, just two singles from it. Jason Gillespie is on commentary and he\u2019s not happy with the selection from his old team, who\u2019ve picked five seamers and no spinner. \u201cI\u2019m baffled by it. The reason Australia have picked a spinner at Sydney in every Test since 1888 is because it turns here.\u201d<\/p>\n Todd Murphy watches on after Australia picked an XI without a specialist spinner for the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG. Photograph: Darrian Traynor\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.34 EST<\/p>\n 26th over: England 128-3 (Root 38, Brook 30)<\/strong> Root survives a half-chance for a run-out as Marnus Labuschagne misses with a shy at the stumps, and a shout for LBW (or caught behind?) as he\u2019s beaten by Boland\u2019s nip-backer. But in between, Root plays a glorious cover drive for four and a cut for two.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 25th over: England 121-3 (Root 32, Brook 29)<\/strong> England take up wherev they left off before lunch, helping themselves to seven from the first over of Starc\u2019s second spell. Brook, who didn\u2019t face Starc before lunch, plays a confident clip through square leg. Usman Khawaja, playing in his final Test, puts in a strong chase and keeps the ball in, only to find that the batters have run four anyway.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The players are back out there<\/strong> and as yet, there\u2019s no sign of the forecast rain. It\u2019s going to be Mitch Starc, the bowler of the series.<\/p>\n Mitchell Starc prepares to bowl on day one of the fifth Ashes Test. Photograph: Saeed Khan\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.44 EST<\/p>\n And here\u2019s Paul O\u2019Neill.<\/strong> \u201cHaving looked forward to this series for literally years (there\u2019s no fool like an English cricket fan in his 50s), I have consumed a LOT of Ashes content over the past couple of months,\u201d he says. \u201cParticularly in recent weeks, I\u2019ve noticed a pattern from the England camp during interviews that they\u2019ll credit the opposition as a \u2018great team\u2019 or \u2018difficult to play against\u2019 but always with the rather backhanded qualifier \u2018in Australian conditions\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201dThis happens too regularly for it just to be a coincidence \u2013 trust me, I\u2019ve listened to a LOT of player\/staff interviews \u2013 so my question is this: is this a sly ploy of deliberate premeditated shade on England\u2019s part (I\u2019m all for that, if so) or just another mantra of the be-where-your-feet-are or run-towards-the-danger variety that everyone in the camp has absorbed unconsciously? And if it is a campaign of co-ordinated messaging, could I suggest maybe \u2018leave the ball on length\u2019 or \u2018aim for the top of off\u2019 for future series?\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThis morning\u2019s play,\u201d says Andy Moreman, \u201cis a perfect example of the missed opportunities on this tour.<\/strong> Australia playing with three and a half bowlers, get through the first 25 overs and there will be runs for the taking. England unable to apply the discipline required to achieve that.<\/p>\n \u201cWith a bit of discipline and better acclimatisation this series was there for the taking. (Thanks for the coverage!)\u201c<\/p>\n It\u2019s our pleasure. Even when England are collapsing.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Lunchtime reading<\/p>\n Barney Ronay has been thinking about that teenager who played in the IPL.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>LUNCH! Root and Brook survive<\/p>\n 24th over: England 114-3 (Root 31, Brook 23)<\/strong> Neser continues and Carey, still standing up, concedes a bye \u2013 a bit of a collector\u2019s item. Root glances for two, then edges for two more but it\u2019s safe, angled down with soft hands. That brings up the 100, to loud cheers from the Barmy Army. Root celebrates with a lovely dab for four, and when he takes a single, it\u2019s the fifty partnership<\/strong> off 63 balls. Brook plays a classic cover drive, then a clueless waft, and finally a clip for three. Thirteen off the over! That\u2019s one way to go to lunch.<\/p>\n Australia won the first hour, England the second, but you can easily see another couple of wickets falling at any time.<\/p>\n Joe Root and Harry Brook reach a 50-run partnership on day one of the fifth Ashes Test. Photograph: David Gray\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.32 EST<\/p>\n 22nd over: England 96-3 (Root 22, Brook 15)<\/strong> Green bowls a long hop and Root caresses it for four with his signature shot, the silky glide. When Smith signals that he wants another short one, Green goes so short that it\u2019s called a wide. His pace is good, touching 88mph, but when he pitches it up, Root has time to open the face and steer through the covers for two.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.25 EST<\/p>\n 21st over: England 87-3 (Root 15, Brook 14)<\/strong> Neser replaces Boland, like for like. The batters take a single apiece. Steve Finn says Neser is trying to hone in on the off stump. Steve, love your work, but it\u2019s home in. Hone means sharpen!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 20th over: England 85-3 (Root 14, Brook 13)<\/strong> Green keeps Brook quiet: dot, dot, dot, then a glide past gully for a single. It\u2019s easier to get past gully when Green is bowling, as he\u2019s not there with his ridiculously long reach. Root goes in that direction too, cutting for four. He\u2019s scoring at the same rate as Brook \u2013 60 runs per hundred balls \u2013 which is Root\u2019s usual tempo, but not Brook\u2019s.<\/p>\n Joe Root hits a four on day one of the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG. Photograph: Philip Brown\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.36 EST<\/p>\n 19th over: England 80-3 (Root 10, Brook 12)<\/strong> Brook, facing Boland, gets two more inside edges, but they\u2019re thick ones, nowhere near the stumps. He calams down a bit, leaving one ball outside off, then another. When he takes a single, Root drives for two, nice and fluently. Twenty minutes till lunch: can these two get there unscathed?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.11 EST<\/p>\n 18th over: England 77-3 (Root 8, Brook 11)<\/strong> Smith turns to the first of his two all-rounders, Cameron Green, who starts tidily, restricting each batter to a single.<\/p>\n \u201cMorning Tim, morning everyone,\u201d says Guy Hornsby, writing half an hour ago. \u201cSpending my last day in Australia on my birthday with my twin Dave watching the Sydney Test unfurl in front of us on a warm day in Melbourne. It\u2019s been a winning feeling since I arrived so clearly I need to be out for all five Tests next time. A good toss to win, if we can get through the first session, but Australia are always in the game with this attack. It already feels a bit of a crucial next hour. I was going to say Crawley was playing with circumspection but I didn\u2019t get to hit send. Over to you, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.07 EST<\/p>\n 17th over: England 75-3 (Root 7, Brook 10)<\/strong> Boland continues and Brook gets another inside edge. Root takes a single. Brook knows a bouncer is coming as square-leg has gone out. He hooks anyway and gets a top edge over the keeper! That\u2019s four, and he adds two more with a more controlled shot into the off side. It\u2019s a funny old ploy, Bazball: the batters keep trying to play as if they\u2019re supremely relaxed, but when they do it at 60-3 they\u2019ve got all their supporters on edge.<\/p>\n Harry Brook bats during day one of the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG. Photograph: MB Media\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.40 EST<\/p>\n 16th over: England 67-3 (Root 6, Brook 3)<\/strong> Extra-cover is set deep for Neser, so Brook can take another easy single. Smith could surely be more attacking here \u2013 he can afford to let Brook get a quick 20. Alex Carey calls for a helmet and comes up to the stumps, to keep both batters in their crease.<\/p>\n\n
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