Sat Jan 03 23:30:00 UTC 2026: ## England Recover After Early Wickets in Sydney Test
Sydney, Australia – England won the toss and elected to bat on day one of the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, but a shaky start saw them slump to 57-3 before lunch. Openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, along with Jacob Bethell, fell cheaply to the Australian attack.
However, a strong partnership of over 150 runs between Joe Root and Harry Brook steadied the ship, with both batsmen reaching their half-centuries. Brook, in particular, looked assured, showcasing elegant strokeplay on a pitch offering less seam movement than seen in previous Tests.
Unfortunately, bad light forced an early tea break with England at 211-3. Despite the recovery, England will be looking to build a significant total, with former captain Michael Vaughan pointing out the need for someone to reach a century on a pitch expected to deteriorate as the match progresses.
Australia already hold an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series.
First Piper 