Root-Brook stand lifts England before weather intervenes in final Ashes test

SYDNEY, Jan 4 : ‌England enjoyed one of their better days of the Ashes series on Sunday when a 154-run stand between Joe Root and Harry Brook drove them to 211 for three before the opening day of the fifth test was brought to a premature end at Sydney Cricket Ground.

Play was stopped for bad light 20 minutes before tea with storm clouds threatening, and abandoned to boos from the remnants of the 49,574 crowd some 90 minutes before the scheduled close of play.

At 3-1 down in what has been a mostly miserable series for the tourists, nothing England can do will prevent Australia from lifting the urn in triumph at the end ‌of the series.

The sight of their two best batsmen finally combining for a meaningful contribution, however, would ‌have brought a smile to the face of skipper Ben Stokes as well as the loyal battalion of travelling supporters.

After slumping to 57-3 early on, fears of another green pitch reprising the chaos of England's consolation win inside two days in Melbourne last week were assuaged when Root and Brook came together in the middle.

Root brought up the 100 partnership and his 67th test half century with the same stroke to deep backward point before Brook joined him on the 50-mark with a four through the covers a few balls later.

Brook, who had given fans a few reminders of his ‍sometimes rash shot-choices, was 78 not out and Root unbeaten on 72 when they were called off for light.

"We're in very good position, obviously, three down at the end of play and hopefully we can make the most of that going into tomorrow," Brook told reporters after accumulating his highest score of the series.

"It was a good pitch. When I first went in, it felt like the bounce was fairly steep, but then it started to get a ​little