England’s senior batter Joe Root and the in-form Harry Brook displayed remarkable composure and skill to blunt Australia’s pace attack on Day 1 of the fifth and final Ashes Test, as rain repeatedly disrupted play at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday, January 4.

After England captain Ben Stokes opted to bat first in front of a packed SCG crowd, the visitors found stability thanksto an unbeaten 154-run stand between Root and Brook. The duo guided England to 211 for 3 before fading light forced the players off the field shortly before the tea interval.

Persistent rain and the looming threat of lightning prevented any further action, leading officials to call stumps an hour early on a stop-start opening day.

At the close of play on Day 1, England appeared to hold the advantage in the rain-affected contest, with Root and Brook firmly in control and wickets in hand as the series finale delicately balanced.

Stumps – Day 1
5th Test, Ashes Series
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
England 1st Innings: 211/3 (45 overs)

India vs Australia Semi-Final Highlights, Champions Trophy 2025: Virat Kohli Stars in India’s 4-Wicket Victory to Reach Final

India advanced to the final of the Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai with a thrilling 4-wicket win over Australia in the semi-final on Tuesday. Chasing a target of 265 runs, the Rohit Sharma-led side completed the chase in 48.1 overs, securing a spot in the title clash.

Virat Kohli’s Brilliant 84-Run Knock:

Virat Kohli played a match-defining innings, scoring 84 runs and leading India’s chase with confidence. His composed knock anchored the innings as India sought to chase down the target set by Australia. Kohli’s stellar performance was backed by valuable contributions from Shreyas Iyer (45), KL Rahul (42 not out), and Hardik Pandya (28), all of whom played pivotal roles in taking India closer to the target.

India’s Impressive Bowling Effort:

Earlier, India’s bowlers showcased discipline and precision, restricting Australia to 264 runs in their allotted 50 overs after being invited to bowl first. Mohammed Shami was the standout bowler for India, claiming three wickets for 48 runs. In comparison, Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja both chipped in with two wickets each, providing critical breakthroughs at crucial moments.

Australia’s Top Order Struggles:

Australia’s top-order battle was led by Steve Smith, who was the top scorer for his side with a composed 73 runs off 96 balls. However, India’s bowlers kept the pressure on, and despite a few fighting knocks, Australia couldn’t set a higher total.

India’s Path to the Final:

With this victory, India has secured its place in the final of the 2025 Champions Trophy, where they will face the winner of the South Africa vs New Zealand semi-final. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter as India aims to capture the coveted Champions Trophy title.