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New Delhi: Joe Root and Harry Brook's partnership helped England recover on a rain-curtailed opening day of the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday, January 4. The visitors slipped to 57/3, but the pair stitched an unbeaten 154-run stand for the fourth wicket to take England past 200. However, only 45 overs were bowled on the day as the bad light and rain forced an early stumps, with England finishing on 211/3.
England opted to bat first and reached Lunch at 114/3 after a good session. Ben Duckett took on Mitchell Starc, smashing the pacer for five boundaries. But, Starc again had the final say as he removed Duckett for 27. The visitors then lost two quick wickets before the drinks break with Michael Neser trapping Crawley lbw for 16, while Scott Boland dismissed Jacob Bethell for 10 soon after.
After losing three wickets in quick succession, Root and Brook steadied the innings for the visitors. Australia's fast bowlers found some movement from the pitch, but struggled for accuracy, which allowed the duo to settle in. Both batters remained cautious with odd boundaries.
They forged an unbeaten 150-plus partnership and took control of the session, after which the bad light brought an early tea. On a surface that offered decent movement, Root and Brook batted brilliantly against Australia's seam-heavy attack, taking England to 211 for 3.
Root looked compact and decisive as he reached his fifty without much trouble, while Brook was a little bit aggressive to bring up his own half-century with a stunning drive and later smashing Green for a pull. Australia rotated their pacers and even used a short-ball plan, but apart from Starc, other bowlers didn't trouble the England duo.
Brook had an adventurous day as a top-edged pull shot dropped safely between three fielders, and there were a few aggressive shots that beat both bat and keeper. Root looked in control and found gaps consistently to put pressure on the Australian bowlers.
As clouds started to gather and the light deteriorated, the umpires brought out the light meter, which drew boos from the SCG crowd before Tea was taken early with rain threatening. The last session was initially delayed due to poor light before rain started, and the wait continued. But there was no play possible after that, and the Stumps were eventually called an hour early.
