England recovered from a shaky start to dominate the opening day of the final Ashes Test in Sydney, reaching 211 for three before bad light and stormy weather brought a premature end to proceedings.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat on a green-tinged pitch, the tourists found themselves in early trouble at 57 for three. Mitchell Starc, Michael Neser, and Scott Boland each struck to remove Ben Duckett (27), Zak Crawley (16), and Jacob Bethell (10) respectively, putting Australia firmly in the ascendancy.
However, the experienced Joe Root and the aggressive Harry Brook combined to wrestle back the initiative with an unbroken partnership of 154 runs. The pair batted with increasing authority, capitalising on a tiring Australian attack that notably lacked a specialist spinner for the first time at the Sydney Cricket Ground in over a century.
Root played a chanceless anchor role, reaching 72 not out, while Brook rode his luck at times during a characteristically bold 78 not out. Their stand shifted the momentum decisively, taking England to a commanding position by the mid-afternoon session.
The day’s play was ultimately cut short as deteriorating light, followed by the threat of storms, led the umpires to abandon play with over an hour remaining. The decision was met with frustration from a sizeable crowd, despite floodlights being operational.
With the five-match series already decided, the final Test represents an opportunity for England to secure a second consecutive victory on Australian soil. The home side, meanwhile, will be left to ponder their team selection and search for a way to break the formidable Root-Brook partnership when play resumes.