England in late falter

JOE Root again failed to convert 50 into a century as he undid his good work late on day one of the final Ashes Test at the SCG.

On his return t o t he ground where he was dropped as a novice batsman at the end of England’s 5-0 Ashes whitewash four years ago, Root (83) played admirably until he flicked a catch to squareleg in Mitchell Starc’s first over with the new ball eight minutes before stumps.

It ended a hard-working stand of 133 between the captain and Dawid Malan (55no), which was then undermined when Jonny Bairstow also fell caughtbehind to Josh Hazlewood’s last ball of t he day i n England’s 233 for five after Root had chosen to bat first.

Root’s trademark frailty extended his sequence of 50s without centuries to 16 out of the last 19 occasions in Tests — an aggravating statistic for one of the world’s best batsmen.

England badly needed him to stay put as they seek a consolation victory to restrict the series defeat to 3-1 — having faltered to 95 for three, before Root and Malan focused their minds on a flat pitch.

After a rain-delayed start and early lunch, the extended first session was very much a mixed bag for the tourists.

Mark Stoneman and James Vince i mpressed briefly and then frustrated too, as they have for so much of a flawed campaign.

England had done so much right until Root’s telling late mistake and then the wicket of Bairstow. Questions will undoubtedly be asked why a nightwatchman was not deployed following t he England captain’s dismissal with only a few minutes left of the day’s play.

Joe Root