Ashes: Root, Brook's 70s put England in control at SCG after top-order fails again

Rain and bad light played spoilsport on Day 1 of the fifth Ashes 2025-26 Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Only 45 overs of play was possible as bad light and rain stopped the action. England lost early wickets but Joe Root and Harry Brook's fifties put them in a good position against Australia who opted not to got for a specialist spinner.

England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bat first. After the batting fiasco at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Steve Smith strengthened the batting line up by replacing Jhye Richardson with all-rounder Beau Webster. Also, Nathan Lyon's replacement Todd Murphy did not find a place in the lineup. The last time Australia did not have a spinner in their side for an SCG Test was in 1888. Skipper Steve Smith said that Murphy was benched as there isn’t assistance for spinners from the wicket. On the other hand, Stokes made one forced change by replacing an injured Gus Atkinson with Matthew Potts.

ALSO READ: 'Logistical nightmare': BCCI reacts to Bangladesh wanting T20 World Cup matches shifted to Sri Lanka

England top-order disappoints again

Ben Duckett looked to attack early on, finding boundaries. In the seventh over, Duckett hit Mitchell Starc for two consecutive fours before getting out caught behind. Duckett departed for a 24-ball 27 as Duckett's fifty drought on the tour continued. Michael Neser in his third over got Zak Crawley trapped in front of the stumps. Crawley scored 16 runs from 29 balls. In the next over, Scott Boland got Jacob Bethell caught behind for a 23-ball 10. England lost their top order for 57 in 13 overs.

ALSO READ: R Ashwin wonders 'who will keep a track on Gaikwad's mindset now?' as CSK captain faces ODI snub

Root, Brook walk off unbeaten before bad light and rain stop play

Root and Brook survived the new ball. England were 114/3 at lunch break. Cameron Green was ineffective with the ball in the first session. Root continued to deal in boundaries. Brook picked up pace as well. In the 34th over, both batters got to their half-centuries. Root took 65 deliveries whereas Brook faced 63 to reach the milestone.

Green returned and Brook smashed him for the first six of the Test. After the 45th over, the umpires took out the lightmeter and players walked off the field. Rain played spoilsport as well and the play could not resume on Day 1. England were 211/3 after 45 overs. The short ball ploy did not work against Root and Brook as they returned to the dressing room unbeaten. Root was batting on 72 off 103 deliveries, including eight fours. Brook hit six fours and a six in his unbeaten 92-ball 78.