England enjoy Sydney saunter before weather curtails Day 1

An imposing unbeaten partnership of 154 from Joe Root and Harry Brook was the highlight of a truncated day one of the final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The tourists enjoyed one of their best days of the tour, moving to 211/3 in just 45 overs before umpires ushered the teams off for bad light.

Despite multiple glimpses of sunlight, rain and cloud cover into the afternoon led to an early call of stumps as the five-match ICC World Test Championship series inches closer to a conclusion.

Brook (78 not out from 92 balls) chanced his luck on multiple occasions with the Australians targeting the right-hander with the short ball, though his stay for the day was capped off with a big six over deep backward square leg to go with six fours.

By contrast, it was a vintage Joe Root (72 not out from 103 balls) who played an innings of touch and esteemed stroke play, hitting eight boundaries.

The stand spoiled what was another strong start from Australia's fast bowling brigade, with Mitchell Starc claiming Ben Duckett, removing the dangerous left-hander for a quick-fire 27 with a stellar outswinging delivery taking his outside edge.

Scott Boland and Michael Neser claimed Jacob Bethell (10) and Zak Crawley (16) respectively, finishing the day as the only bowler to with economy better than four runs an over.

Play will start at 10am on day two, half an hour earlier than scheduled in a bid to make up for lost time on day one.

Ashes schedule:

First Test: Perth Stadium, November 21-22 (Australia won by eight wickets)
Second Test: Gabba, December 4-7 (Australia won by eight wickets)
Third Test: Adelaide Oval, December 17-21 (Australia won by 82 runs)
Fourth Test: MCG, December 26-30 (England won by 4 wickets)
Fifth Test: SCG, January 4-8