ENGLAND reached 211/3 on the opening day of the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday, with a 154-run partnership between Joe Root and Harry Brook anchoring the innings before bad light forced an early tea.

After winning the toss, England captain Ben Stokes elected to bat under sunny skies, although dark clouds gradually gathered as the day progressed ahead of a forecast storm.

Root and Brook steady England

Root and Brook batted through the entire second session, adding 97 runs together to recover England from early trouble. Root was unbeaten on 72 at the interval, while Brook remained not out on 78 as the pair consolidated England’s position.

The innings began briskly, with Ben Duckett scoring 27 from 24 balls before edging a Mitchell Starc outswinger to be caught behind. The dismissal marked Starc’s 27th wicket of the series.

Zak Crawley survived an early scare when an edge flew through the slips, but he was later trapped in front for 16 by Michael Neser, with the decision upheld after a DRS review. Jacob Bethell followed soon after for 10, edging Scott Boland behind, leaving England on 57/3.

Neither side selected a specialist spinner. England brought seamer Matthew Potts into the XI in place of the injured Gus Atkinson, with Shoaib Bashir again missing out. Australia handed all-rounder Beau Webster his first appearance of the series, replacing Jhye Richardson, while off-spinner Todd Murphy was named 12th man.

Australia lead the series 3-1 and have already secured the Ashes.