Sydney, Jan 4 (.) Joe Root and Harry Brook produced a high-quality unbeaten partnership, laced with authoritative strokeplay, to lift England to 211 for 3 at stumps on the opening day of the fifth Ashes Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday, before bad light, rain and thunder brought an early end to play.
Opting to bat after winning the toss, England endured a mixed start but were steadied decisively by Root and Brook, who added 154 runs for the fourth wicket. The stand gathered momentum through a flurry of boundaries and culminated in a landmark moment when Brook tucked Cameron Green off his hips to deep backward square-leg in the 44th over, bringing up the 150-run partnership.
England began briskly as Ben Duckett took on Mitchell Starc early, unfurling a series of crisp boundaries through the off side and leg side. Duckett raced to 27 before Starc struck with a 143.2 kph delivery that nibbled away, drawing an edge which Alex Carey pouched smartly behind the stumps.
Zak Crawley showed promise with a couple of authoritative pulls and drives, including a well-timed on-drive off Scott Boland, but Michael Neser breached his defence with a sharp in-seamer that trapped him lbw for 16 after a brief review.
Jacob Bethell briefly counter-attacked with a stylish clip through midwicket and a crisp cut off Starc to get off the mark, but his stay was ended by Boland, who induced a faint edge with a short-of-length ball that Carey collected comfortably.
At 57 for 3, Australia sensed control, but Root and Brook turned the tide with a blend of assurance and aggression. Root settled quickly, leaning into half-volleys from Starc and Boland to drive fluently through extra cover, and using the cut shot to good effect against short bowling.
Brook complemented him with increasing authority, late-cutting Neser, flicking him fine off the pads, and then taking on Green with conviction. One short-of-length delivery was pulled powerfully into the stands at deep backward square-leg for a towering six, while another was driven on the up through extra cover.
Both batsmen reached their half-centuries to loud applause from the Barmy Army, Root cutting Beau Webster to bring up his 50 before Brook followed with a slashing drive through the vacant point region.
The partnership continued to flourish as boundaries flowed on either side of the wicket, with Root rolling his wrists on the pull to beat the diving Marnus Labuschagne and Brook advancing down the track to flay Green through the covers.
Australia rotated their attack but found little reward as conditions eased under what had been bright and sunny skies earlier in the day. However, gathering clouds, fading light, rain and distant thunder eventually had the final say, forcing the players off after 45 overs.
At stumps, Root was unbeaten on 72 and Brook on 78, with England well placed on 211 for 3 and seven wickets in hand heading into the second day of the Test.
. . ARN