SYDNEY: Rain and bad light disrupted the first day of the final Ashes between the arch rivals Australia and England.
England were taken off the field at 3-211, 15 minutes before tea, with Joe Root (72) and Harry Brook (78) in the midst of a 154-run partnership, and did not return as stumps were officially called.
Play was halted due to bad light before the weather deteriorated, although it did eventually cleared up, but stumps were instead called.
Earlier, when Australian captain Steve Smith was asked about playing without a spin bowler, he said “I hate doing it.”
“But you know, I’ve said we keep producing wickets that we don’t think is going to spin and seam’s going to play a big part and cracks are going to play a big part. You kind of get pushed into a corner in a way,” he added.
Earlier, the 4rth test match of the Ashes series in Melbourne ended. England was finally able to get their first win in this Ashes series. This match is also called the Boxing Day Test match.
This win was very important for England as they have finally won a test match from Australia in Australia after 14 years. England has also saved itself from being whitewashed in the series.
In the Boxing Day test match, England won from Australia by 4 wickets. Australia set a target of 175 runs for England. England was able to chase it with 4 wickets to spare.
Jacob Bethell was the highest scorer for England in the second innings. He scored 40 runs off 46 balls and paved the way for England’s victory.
Australia was able to make only 152 runs in the first innings and 132 runs in the second innings. The English fast bowler Josh Tongue took a total of 7 wickets in total. Brydon Carse, in the second innings took out 4 Australian batters.
The pitch of this match was a bowling pitch. As England too was only able to make 110 runs. Harry Brook made 41 runs in the first innings and was the highest scorer from England. In the second inning,s they were able to chase the target but still lost six wickets.
Travis Head made 46 runs in the second innings and was the top scorer for Australia.
