Tourists win toss and elect to bat first in series finale
Over-by-over updates from the Sydney Cricket Ground
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As the Aussies spread out with pink numbers on their backs, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett stride out to open the innings. On TNT, which had had an even worse series than England, Graeme Swann is at the microphone. “This is where you want someone to do an Alastair Cook,” he says. “To be 35 not out at lunch.” Good luck with that.
“Hello Tim, and happy new year,” says Andrew Benton. Happy new year to you too, and everyone. “Who could replace Brendon McCullum? I do think he should go given his stated aim was to win the Ashes, but who could take over? There seems to be a dearth of suitable candidates. But there seems not to have been much discussion in the media on it in any case. What’s your take?”
Written by Tim de Lisle (now) and Angus Fontaine (later)
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/jan/04/australia-v-england-fifth-ashes-test-day-one-live-updates-sydney-scg under the title “Australia v England: fifth Ashes Test, day one – live”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
