Ashes 2025-26: England begin fifth Test before Sydney weather intervenes

England’s promising start in the fifth Ashes Test against Australia was curtailed by poor light and rain on the opening day in Sydney.

Joe Root and Harry Brook took the tourists to 211-3 when the weather arrived to wipe out the evening session at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The fourth-wicket pair added an uninterrupted 154 runs, England’s highest partnership in a series in which they trail 3-1.

After captain Ben Stokes won the toss for the fourth time on the tour, England were in danger of wasting some batting friendly conditions as they fell to 57-3.

Ben Duckett was caught behind Mitchell Starc for 27, Zak Crawley played all over Michael Eagle to become pound-for-pound for 16, and Jacob Bethell needlessly poked Scott Bolland on 10.

The visitors lost two wickets for six runs and both Root and Brook were worthless, just for the combination of England’s two best batsmen.

Root was sublime as he was not out for 72 and had the chance of his second hundred in this country.

Brook, 78, is closing in on his maiden Ashes hundred in his 10th Test against Australia.

Barring the opening blast, when they took three wickets in the first 13 overs, the hosts were wayward with the ball. Omitting Todd Murphy, Australia opted not to select a specialist spinner for the Sydney Test for the first time since 1888.

Bad light stopped play at 14:55 local time, and then rain fell on and off the field. Despite the dry weather and improved lighting, play was frustratingly abandoned after two hours with half of the day’s 90 overs left unbowled.