Sydney, Jan. 4 -- Joe Root and Harry Brook produced a high-quality unbeaten partnership, laced with authoritative strokeplay, to lift England to 211 for 3 at stumps on the opening day of the fifth Ashes Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday, before bad light, rain and thunder brought an early end to play.
Opting to bat after winning the toss, England endured a mixed start but were steadied decisively by Root and Brook, who added 154 runs for the fourth wicket. The stand gathered momentum through a flurry of boundaries and culminated in a landmark moment when Brook tucked Cameron Green off his hips to deep backward square-leg in the 44th over, bringing up the 150-run partnership.
England began briskly as Ben Duckett...