THE ASHES LIVE! All the action from Day 1 at the SCG.
MACQUARIE’S SUMMER OF CRICKET LINE-UP: Mike Hussey, Greg Matthews, Ian Chappell, Glenn McGrath, John Emburey, Geoff Lawson, Tim Lane, and Bruce Eva.
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Stumps!
We finally got the 83 overs bowled in a rain effected day. Play didn’t get underway until 1240 (Sydney time) and didn’t finish until 7pm on Day 1 in Sydney.
Joe Root was dismissed just before stumps for 83 flicking the ball to square leg off Mitch Marsh off Mitch Starc.
Pat Cummins took 2 wickets of Mark Stoneman and James Vince before Josh Hazelwood removed Alastair Cook.
Chaos in the final 2 overs of the day, with Joe Root and Johny Bairstow removed within 8 balls to leave England 5/233 at Stumps. Hazelwood ends up with 2 important wickets as well. Mitch Starc got the crucial wicket of Root who was set on 83.
Dawid Malan is not out 55 and will be joined by Moeen Ali first thing tomorrow morning.
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ROOT SCORES FOURTH 50!
Joe Root has continued to show promising form in this series scoring his fourth half century at the SCG on Day 1.
Root has looked faultless on his way to 52 playing an array of glorious strokes throughout the afternoon and the skipper hit five 4s on his way to 50.
He will now look to go on to his first century of the series to end the Test summer on a high.
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End of the first session
The first session of the 5th test, an extended session – has come to an end with England losing 3 wickets. Pat Cummins was the chief destroyer taking two big scalps, in Mark Stoneman and James Vince before Josh Hazelwood removed Alastair Cook to give Australia the points at the end of the session 1.
England won the toss and chose to bat first, but with one less batsman in the side due to Chris Woakes omission, they will not want to lose quick wickets after Tea or they will be all out in a short period of time.
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COOK GONE!
For the first time since Perth Alastair Cook has been dismissed with Josh Hazelwood getting the crucial breakthrough via a DRS reversal.
Cook was initially given Not Out by umpire Joel Wilson before Steve Smith reviewed the decision with replays showing the ball pitched in line and was cannoning into middle stump. England have lost 2/7 after being 1/88 early in the day.
OUT!
Alastair Cook has been given out LBW thanks to the DRS. Hazelwood strikes. Hitting middle half way up.
Cook out for the first time since Perth. 3/95 #Ashes
— Macquarie Cricket (@MRNCricket) January 4, 2018
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James Vince has been dismissed just after drinks on Day 1 with Pat Cummins nicking the English number three off through to keeper Tim Paine.
It was a rash shot from Vince who had looked untroubled throughout his innings of 25, before chasing a short wide one only to edge it through to Paine.
England are 2/88 with Alastair Cook digging in again and is on his way to another half century.
OUT!
Cummins has two wickets. James Vince chases a wide one and edges through to Tim Paine. England lose their second wicket.
2/88 #Ashes
— Macquarie Cricket (@MRNCricket) January 4, 2018
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WICKET!
The first wicket of the morning has fallen with Patrick Cummins claiming the big wicket of Mark Stoneman who nicked the ball to Tim Paine off a short pitched delivery.
Stoneman was looking in ominous form racing to 24 from 24 balls before Cummins got him fending the short ball and clipping the edge of the English openers bat and giving the Aussies their first wicket of the day.
OUT!
Cummins claims Stoneman! Out for 24 after edging one behind! Nice shape from Cummins.
Australia with an early strike! 1/28 #Ashes
— Macquarie Cricket (@MRNCricket) January 4, 2018
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England have won the toss and will bat first at the SCG. Both sides have just the one change with Mitchell Starc back in the side for Jackson Bird. Mason Crane will debut for Chris Woakes who is out injured.
England have won the Toss and will Bat first – 1 change for both sides. Starc and Crane in.
Play due at 1240pm. #Ashes
— Macquarie Cricket (@MRNCricket) January 4, 2018
Lineups:
Australia: Cameron Bancroft, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (c), Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon.
England: Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Joe Root (c), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Tom Curran, Stuart Broad, Mason Crane, James Anderson.
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UPDATE
The Lunch break will be taken at 12pm, with the Toss to be taken at 1210pm and play to begin at 1240pm. We will keep you updates when the Toss takes place.
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RAIN Delay!
Rain has delayed the start of play at the SCG. Play is due to start at 1130am AEDT with play likely to go in to the extra hour tonight.
The rain is not heavy, but it is lingering and seems to be causing problems and further delaying play.
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DAY 1 at the SCG – The Final Test!
Happy New Year to everyone out there! We are back for the final Test Match of the Ashes with Australia only five days away from receiving the little Urn in front of an adoring SCG crowd.
There are clouds around at the SCG – the covers are on, but the forecast is set to improve as the day goes on.
It looks bleak but it is forecasted to clear up for a cracking day of cricket #ashes @MRNCricket pic.twitter.com/p4hLGpVnWo
— Josh Moore (@MooreJosh) January 3, 2018
After a disappointing draw in Melbourne, on a pitch that provided little reward for the bowlers, both sides will be hoping for a more lively pitch in Sydney. Traditionally the pitch at the SCG provides a bit of turn and will bring some swing also.
Steve Smith has made one change to his MCG lineup with Mitchell Starc returning from injury to reclaim his place in the side at the expense of Jackson Bird.
England also have one forced change, with Chris Woakes going down with a side strain, opening the door for young leg spinner Mason Crane to make his debut, which means the visitors will go into the final test with two spinners, believing the pitch will provide plenty of turn. The last English leg spinner to debut at the SCG was Scott Borthwick – in 2014, he hasn’t played another Test Match since then – so no pressure on young Crane here.
Steve Smith has had a sublime series and is averaging over 100 and in the unlikely event he gets a pair in this match, he will still average over 100 for the series.
The stage is set, and the Australians aren’t far away from getting the Urn back in their possession, and will be hoping they can clean sweep the English and walk away 4-0 winners.