Overview
- Joe Root (72 not out) and Harry Brook (78 not out) forged an unbroken 154-run stand to recover England from 57-3.
- Bad light halted play before tea and rain prevented any resumption, leaving only 45 overs completed on day one.
- Ben Stokes won the toss and batted; Ben Duckett fell for 27 to Mitchell Starc for the seamer’s 27th wicket of the series, with Zak Crawley lbw to Michael Neser and Jacob Bethell edging Scott Boland.
- Australia opted for a seam-heavy attack with Beau Webster in and Todd Murphy 12th man, while England also went without a frontline spinner, bringing in Matthew Potts for injured Gus Atkinson.
- Australia lead the series 3-1 and have retained the Ashes, and the day began with a ceremony honoring Bondi Beach attack first responders under heightened security.