Welcome to the highlights of the first day of the Ashes 2025–26 fifth and final Test between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday, January 3, 2026.
Day 1 was heavily interrupted by rain and bad light, allowing only 45 overs of play before stumps. England were reduced to 57/3 early in the day, losing Zak Crawley (16), Ben Duckett (27), and Jacob Bethell (10).
However, Joe Root and Harry Brook steadied the innings with a commanding 154-run stand, ensuring England finished at 211/3 at stumps. Only two sessions were possible in Sydney, with the entire third session washed out.
Catch the ball-by-ball commentary from Australia vs England, 5th Ashes Test below:
Australia vs England, 5th Ashes Test: Toss Update
England won the toss and chose to bat first in the fifth and final Ashes Test.
Australia vs England, 5th Ashes Test: Playing XIs
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, Josh Tongue.
Australia: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland.
Australia vs England, 5th Ashes Test: Squads
Australia: Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Traivs Head, Usman Khawaja, Beau Webster, Cameron Green, Michael Neser, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Inglis, Brendan Doggett, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Todd Murphy.
England: Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Zak Crawley, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Will Jacks, Jamie Smith (wk), Ollie Pope (wk), Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Matthew Fisher, Matthew Pots, Shoaib Bashir.
The Ashes 2025-26 Live Streaming Details
The Australia Vs England 5th Ashes Tests will be live-streamed on the JioHotstar app and website in India. Television broadcasts will take place on the Star Sports Network channels in the country.
