Aussies hit back after Root-malan show
SYDNEY: Joe Root missed out on a century yet again and Jonny Bairstow fell from the last ball on day one of the fifth and final Ashes Test to give Australia the momentum after England had fought back well at the SCG.
Root (83) and Dawid Malan (55 not out) rescued the tourists from 95-3 with a stand of 133, but Australia struck twice with the new ball to remove the captain and Bairstow, who was be left to rue striding out to the crease rather than a nightwatchman.
England were 233-5 at stumps, with much resting on the shoulders of Malan, dropped by Steve Smith off Nathan Lyon on 34 and going on to pass 50 for the fourth time in the series.
Root also raised his bat after making another half-century, but failed to reach three figures after steering a Mitchell Starc delivery low to Mitchell Marsh, who took a sharp chance at square leg.
There was further drama when Bairstow followed, edging Josh Hazlewood behind with only two balls due to be bowled, putting Australia in the ascendancy as they strive to win the series 4-0. Brief scores: England (1st inngs) 233-5 in 81.4 overs (A Cook 39, J Vince 25, J Root 83, D Malan 55 no, J Hazlewood 2-47, P Cummins 2-44) Pat Cummins (2-44) took two wickets after lunch was taken early, reducing England to 95-3.
Alastair Cook (39), Mark Stoneman (24) and James Vince (25) got starts but were unable to go on, Hazlewood (2-47) getting the former England captain leg before wicket following a successful review.
Root and Malan dug in to give England the upper hand, but the captain and Bairstow fell late to give Australia the edge.
Mitchell Starc was the only change in the Oz side while England leggie Mason Crane made his Test debut.