Root falls short of elusive century

Sydney: England skipper Joe Root again missed out on an elusive first century in the series as Australia fought back with two late wickets on the opening day of the fifth Test on Thursday. Root was out to a superb diving catch by Mitchell Marsh at square leg for 83 in the day’s penultimate over before Jonny Bairstow was caught behind in the final over. Root slumped to his haunches in dismay after missing out on a hundred following his fourth half- century of the series. Root and Malan recovered England’s first innings with a 133- run stand after the tourists had slumped to 95/ 3 following the loss of Melbourne double- centurion Alastair Cook. Malan lived a charmed life in his half- century, surviving a run out attempt and a dropped Steve Smith catch to provide stoic support for his skipper. At the close, England were 233/ 5 with Malan left unbeaten on 55 off 160 balls when Bairstow was caught behind off Josh Hazlewood for five. Root reached his half- century off 82 balls cover driving Mitchell Marsh for four, but Malan was fortunate not to be run out two balls later. SCORECARD England ( 1st innings): A. Cook lbw b Hazlewood 39, M. Stoneman c Paine b Cummins 24, J. Vince c Paine b Cummins 25, J. Root c M. Marsh b Starc 83. D. Malan ( batting) 55, J. Bairstow c Paine b Hazlewood 5. Extras: ( lb1, w1) 2. Total: ( for 5 wkts, in 81.4 overs) 233. FoW: 1- 28, 2- 88, 3- 95, 4- 228, 5- 233. Bowling: Starc 16- 4- 63- 1, Hazlewood 17.4- 2- 47- 2, Cummins 17- 4- 44- 2, Lyon 264- 61- 0, Marsh 5- 0- 17- 0.