Ashes 2025-26 | Live Blog: England vs Australia, 5th Test, Day 1

The proficient pair has brought the game on an even keel after Australia had the better of the early exchanges by dismissing England’s top-order. There is a bit of drizzle in the air as Neser returns to the attack for his tenth over.

Marnus Labuschagne, in a chat with Fox Sports: We are just trying to slow the game down a little bit, they are getting off strike probably a fraction easily there. We’re just trying to slow the game down, get a couple more wickets and then really put the squeeze back on. I am not behind the wicket today, so I can’t really see if there’s any sort of movement – swing or seam. It looks like the wicket is a little bit slow. We just got to hang in there.

Time for some hydration. The pitch is flat and both Brook and Root have had no issues at all in dealing with the Australian quicks. There was just a solitary moment of concern when Brook top-edged the pull and nearly holed out. Hard work for the bowlers in this session so far. Scope for some spin I reckon soon, in the form of Travis Head as Nathan Lyon is on the bench.

The sun is out in all its glory and Root raises fifty. He raises the bat. A short of length delivery outside off, scythed to deep backward point. The Barmy Army are up to clap for the experienced campaigner. His partner Harry Brook has a half-century in the kitty as well as England make a neat recovery after being down in the doldrums. Beau Webster’s maiden over witnesses the accomplishments.

Flurry of boundaries for England as the first session comes to an end. Root with a glorious cover drive and Brook follows suit. Both are standing outside the crease to negate the movement. England have their hopes pinned on the duo. At 57/3, England were under pressure when the two Yorkshire batters joined hands. They must kick on post Lunch for their team is still under strife.

Shortish ball wide of off, lynchpin Root arches back to nicely cut it through backward point.

Confident appeal for lbw, turned down and Australia decide against the review. Good length ball jagging back in, Root plays all around it as he misses the clip. Contact above the knee-roll on the front pad and ball-tracking says bouncing over the middle-stump. Sharp call from umpire Chris Gaffaney.

Australia have toppled the first domino. Edged and taken! 143.2kph, nibbling away on a good length around the fifth-stump channel. That could have been let go on line but survival is never Duckett’s priority. Chases it with a tame poke. Thick outside edge is caught by Carey.

Length ball that straightens a bit off the surface, Crawley pushes from the crease, not with hard hands though and the outside edge bisects third slip and gully.

Duckett opens his account with a boundary. Half-volley on middle-leg and the explosive opener flicks it away to the left of square leg. Nicely timed against Mitchell Starc and the ball is quick to reach the rope.