The fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground opened with all the promise of a classic, but it was the weather—and a bit of controversy—that stole the spotlight on January 4, 2026. England, trailing 3-1 in the series and playing only for pride, won the toss and chose to bat first, setting the stage for a day that would be remembered as much for what didn’t happen as for what did.
By the time the umpires called an early halt to proceedings, England had reached a commanding 211 for 3 after just 45 overs. The Yorkshire duo of Joe Root and Harry Brook were the architects of England’s dominance, putting on an unbroken 154-run partnership that left Australia’s bowlers searching for answers—and perhaps for a missing spinner.
Root, ever the picture of composure, was unbeaten on 72 from 103 deliveries, while Brook, mixing patience with panache, had raced to 78 from just 92 balls, including six boundaries and a towering six. Together, they made batting look easy, calmly working the ball around and capitalizing on anything loose from an all-pace Australian attack that looked increasingly toothless as the afternoon wore on.
The early drama, though, began with England’s openers. Ben Duckett, true to his aggressive style, got England off to a brisk start, scoring 27 at better than a run a ball before falling to Mitchell Starc—his fifth dismissal of Duckett in the series. Zak Crawley was more circumspect but managed just 16 before Michael Neser trapped him leg before wicket, and Jacob Bethell’s brief stay ended on 10, caught behind off Scott Boland. At 57 for 3, Australia might have sensed an opening, but Root and Brook slammed the door shut.
As the partnership blossomed, questions began to swirl about Australia’s team selection. For the first time since 1888, the hosts opted to go without a specialist spinner at the SCG, leaving Todd Murphy on the sidelines in favor of Beau Webster. Stand-in captain Steve Smith explained, “I hate doing it, but you know, I've said we keep producing wickets that we don't think is going to spin and seam's going to play a big part and cracks are going to play a big part. You kind of get pushed into a corner in a way.” Yet, with Webster bowling just two overs for 11 runs and Cam Green leaking 57 runs in eight overs, the decision looked increasingly suspect as England’s batters feasted on a docile pitch.
Former Australian paceman Jason Gillespie didn’t mince words on ABC Radio, declaring, “Our game shoots itself in the foot time and time and time again. This is no better example of that.” He was joined by Darren Lehmann, who added, “They should be playing, they should've been playing half an hour ago. You've got so many people here. It's just poor.” Their frustration was echoed in the stands and across social media, with fans voicing their disbelief as the light seemed perfectly playable and the rain little more than a drizzle.
The decision to halt play came just 15 minutes before the scheduled tea break, as ominous clouds gathered and a faint drizzle began to fall. The umpires, erring on the side of caution, led the players off the field, and despite hopeful glances skyward and the occasional burst of sunlight, they never returned. Stumps were officially called shortly after 5 pm local time, with the ground bathed in golden light and the covers still firmly in place.
With the floodlights blazing and the weather far from threatening, many questioned why play couldn’t continue. The answer, as ever in cricket, lay in tradition and regulation: the red ball is deemed too difficult to see in poor natural light, making it dangerous for batters. Calls for the use of the pink ball in such situations grew louder, with fans and commentators alike suggesting that a simple change could prevent such farcical scenes. “Tradition is great but makes you wonder why they don't just use a pink ball all the time to avoid situations like this,” mused one exasperated supporter.
The day’s bowling figures told their own story. Starc finished with 1 for 53 from 12 overs, Neser claimed 1 for 36 from 10, and Boland chipped in with 1 for 48 from 13. Green’s eight overs cost a whopping 57 runs, while Webster’s two overs went for 11. England, by contrast, looked settled and untroubled after their early losses, their two top-ranked batters in the world according to ICC rankings showing why they are so highly regarded.
As the players left the field, the sense of frustration was palpable—not just from those in the middle, but from the thousands who had packed the stands hoping to see a full day’s play. “Sitting in the members stand and astounded this game hasn’t been back on. Been here countless times where conditions are much worse and we’ve seen play. The lack of official review of the grounds is frustrating and embarrassing,” wrote one fan, Kim, echoing a sentiment shared by many.
The weather forecast had long predicted deteriorating conditions, and while there were occasional rumbles of thunder and flashes of lightning in the distance, the storm never truly broke over the SCG. Instead, play was held up by the mere threat of worsening weather—a situation that left many scratching their heads and longing for a more flexible approach to the game’s age-old regulations.
As the sun finally broke through the clouds to a cheer from the crowd, it was too late for any resumption. The rules were clear: no play beyond 6 pm, and with the light fading and the schedule already thrown into disarray, the umpires had little choice but to call stumps. An early start was announced for day two, with play set to resume at 10:00 am AEDT (23:00 GMT), offering hope that the match—and the series finale—could yet deliver the drama fans have been craving.
For now, England’s position looks strong, with Root and Brook poised to push on and set a formidable total. Australia, meanwhile, must regroup and hope for a change in fortune—and perhaps a break in the weather. With the Ashes already secured, pride and individual milestones remain on the line, and cricket fans everywhere will be watching to see how this intriguing Test unfolds when play resumes.