Joe Root and Harry Brook dig England out of trouble as rain halts Ashes swansong

Australia had them in trouble early on, but a rescue job from Joe Root (72*) and Harry Brook (78*) took England past the 200 mark on a day where just 45 overs were bowled. 

The visitors won the toss and captain Ben Stokes opted to bat on a fresh track with a green tinge. Despite the optics, the start was anything but measured from England opener Ben Duckett. 

The pocket rocket struck five fours in his wild and woolly innings, only to be outdone by Australian talisman Mitchell Starc for the fifth time this series. Duckett departed for 27 off 24 after Starc found a thin outside edge that was snaffled by wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

Jacob Bethel joined Zak Crawley at the crease and some stoicism returned for a brief stint. But the probing line and length from Michael Neser ended the vigil. Crawley (16) was trapped in front by a full and straight delivery and burnt a review in hope.  

Just eight balls later and England were wobbling. The metronomic Scott Boland pitched one on middle stump and it angled away from Bethel, who could only edge it to an eager Carey for his 24th catch of the series. At 57/3, the visitors were in a familiar place: on the ropes.

But their two best batters rescued the session and the day. The pair stayed in control to take them to lunch at 114/3. The pair continued their work after the break, nudging and nurdling the spinner-less Australian attack to all corners. 

Root and Brook remained unbeaten with a 154 partnership when they went off for bad light minutes before the heavens opened up to have the final word.