Ashes 2025, 5th Test: 5 Key Talking Points from Day 1 of AUS vs ENG Sydney Clash

Day 1 of the final Ashes Test in Sydney saw England recover from 57/3 to reach 211/3 at stumps. An unbeaten 154-run stand between Joe Root (72*) and Harry Brook (78*) lifted the visitors before rain curtailed play on Usman Khawaja’s farewell.

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How Day 1 of the Ashes 2025 Sydney Test Unfolded?

The opening day of the fifth and final Test of the Ashes 2025 series witnessed Australia and England seizing momentum from each other at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday, January 4. With Australia having already sealed the series 3–1, the Sydney Test served as a pride battle for England.

At the end of Day 1, England posted a total of 211/3, with Harry Brook and Joe Root, batting on 78 and 72, respectively, giving the visitors a strong platform heading into Day 2 after weather interruptions curtailed play.

On that note, let’s take a look at key takeaways from the opening day of the Ashes series finale at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

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1. Usman Khawaja’s Farewell Match Begins

The veteran Usman Khawaja walked out at his home ground, the Sydney Cricket Ground, in his final international appearance, drawing warm applause and a standing ovation from the crowd, as Australia’s long-serving opener began his farewell match in Ashes whites. The 39-year-old announced his retirement at the press conference ahead of the Sydney Test, drawing his curtain on his 15-year international career.

Khawaja began his international career at his home ground in 2011 and has been a pillar of Australia’s batting line-up, especially in Test cricket, known for his patient technique, resilience against the new ball, and ability to play long, match-defining innings in challenging conditions.

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2. No Frontline Spinner in Australia’s XI

Australia sprung a surprise by not including any of the frontline spinners in the Sydney Test. With Nathan Lyon ruled out of the Ashes series finale due to injury, Todd Murphy was added to the squad as his replacement. As Australia sealed the Ashes 2025, it was expected that Murphy would be featured in the playing XI by replacing one of the pacers from the Melbourne Test.

Surprisingly, Beau Webster was picked over Todd Murphy, making it all pace-attack in Australia’s playing XI. For the first time in 138 years, Australia fielded a purely pace-based attack at the SCG in an Ashes Test. In the Melbourne Test as well, the hosts had relied heavily on their fast bowlers, but the absence of any specialist spinner in Sydney marked a historic first, showing Australia’s confidence in pace battery to dominate England on a traditionally spin–friendly pitch at the SCG.

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3. England Put on Back Foot by Early Collapse

England, led by skipper Ben Stokes, opted to bat first in a pride-salvaging effort following their Melbourne Test victory after losing the Ashes series. However, the visitors were put on the back foot early on by Australian pacers in the first session of the Sydney Test. Lead pacer Mitchell Starc provided an early breakthrough for Australia by dismissing Ben Duckett (27) at 35/1. Thereafter, England opener Zak Crawley (16) was removed by Michael Neser at 51/2.

Scott Boland chipped in by dismissing Jacob Bethell (10) at 57/3. In 13 overs, Australia had already claimed three crucial wickets, leaving England struggling early in their innings and under pressure on Day 1 of the Ashes series finale at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

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4. Joe Root-Harry Brook’s Crucial Partnership

After Jacob Bethell’s dismissal at 57/3, Joe Root was joined by Harry Brook to carry on England’s innings. With Australia already having an edge by taking three crucial wickets of the hosts, the onus was on Root and Brook to steady England’s ship and avoid further batting collapse on the opening day of the SCG Test. The pair stepped up for the side in a crucial situation and helped sail England’s ship.

Joe Root and Harry Brook frustrated the Australian pacers with their composed strokeplay, rotating the strike effectively, and punishing loose deliveries. The pair added a commanding yet crucial unbeaten 154-run partnership for the fourth wicket, taking England past the 200-run mark by early stumps on Day 1 of the Sydney Test.

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5. Lighting Threats and Rain Call for Early Stumps

As England built the momentum after an early collapse through a partnership between Joe Root and Harry Brook, deteriorating weather with intermittent rain forced the umpires to call for early stumps on Day 1. The tea break took place roughly three hours into the second session of the opening day, and was followed by the play being suspended due to lightning and wet conditions.

As England set to resume their first innings batting in the third session, the rain intensified, forcing the officials to abandon play for the day and bring an early end to proceedings at the Sydney Cricket Ground.