Ashes: Late wickets leave England in precarious position

England lost two wickets in the final two overs of the first day to let Australia back into the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney.

In Mitchell Starc's first over with the second new ball, Joe Root clipped to square leg to depart for 83.

Jonny Bairstow then edged Josh Hazlewood behind to leave the tourists 203-5.

Captain Root had shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 133 with Dawid Malan, who remains at the crease on 55 not out.

England earlier slipped to 95-3 after winning the toss, after rain delayed the start by more than two hours.

Mark Stoneman, Alastair Cook and James Vince all wasted good starts, the latter pair falling in the space of seven runs after a stand of 60.

In the damp conditions, Australia, who have already secured the Ashes, may not have been too disappointed to bowl first.

Following a drawn fourth Test on a lifeless Melbourne pitch, Sydney has offered true bounce for the batsmen, a hint of seam for the pace bowlers and turn for off-spinner Nathan Lyon - encouraging for debutant Mason Crane, the youngest spinner to play for England in 90 years.

Australia's collective effort gave little away and it was only in the warmth of the evening that England, chasing a first Test win on Australian soil in 10 attempts, looked to be on top of the game.

Starc's intervention first left the contest in the balance, before Hazlewood tipped it Australia's way.

(BBC)