Ashes 2017/18: 5th Test, Day 1 - 5 things we learnt from the day

Wickets of Joe Root and Johnny Bairstow late in the day gave Australia the advantage heading into stumps on Day 1 of the fifth and final Ashes Test at Sydney. After rain washed out the first session, Australia made quick inroads in the second, sending back Mark Stoneman and James Vince early courtesy a fiery Pat Cummins.

Alastair Cook fell to a shrewd review by the hosts but Joe Root and Dawid Malan resurrected the innings with a 133-run partnership. England's joy didn't last long, though, as Mitchell Starc sent them spiralling down by dismissing Joe Root for 83, his 17th unconverted half-century in the last 20 times he crossed 50. Hazlewood then snared Johnny Bairstow to push England back at stumps.

#5 Stoneman teases to thrive before floundering

Stoneman looked in good touch before wilting

Mark Stoneman has a special bond with Sydney. The city gave him the love of his life and he had spoken about it even in the press conferences before the final Test of the series. On the field, he stayed true to Sydney with some pristine shots all around in the first few overs.

But Mitchell Starc started a bouncer barrage against the southpaw that put him in all kinds of discomfort. He hadn't quite handled the short balls well this series and it showed, as his scoring areas were cut out by the extra zip and bounce. Although he raced away at a run a ball, Cummins eventually snapped him up with a short ball.

#4 James Vince can't convert either

Vince failed to convert a start yet again

If Joe Root cannot convert his 50s into 100s, Vince cannot kick off after getting starts. When on a song, the right-hander is a wonderful player to watch with his sublime cover drives a delight to the eyes. But when it goes wrong, it all unravels quickly for James Vince.

Once again he got off to a good start, hammering Mitchell Starc through his favourite area, the covers, before handling the extra bounce from Cummins quite decently. He rolled his wrists, never took his eye off the ball and teased to be as good as he proved to be in the first innings of the first Test of this series. But he nicked Cummins through to Paine when on 25 to cut short his innings.

#3 Pat Cummins sizzles

Cummins burst in during the second session

Pat Cummins has been in sizzling form since returning from injury and the Ashes was supposed to be his litmus test in terms of fitness. Not many expected him to escape injury-free whole series, but here he is bowling with fury and venom in the final Test at Sydney having survived through the first four Tests.

Cummins was in scintillating rhythm in the second session post the rain break and dismissed Mark Stoneman and James Vince to peg England back. Although Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have been rather good right through the series, Cummins has been the pick of the three.

#2 Joe Root and Dawid Malan stitch together a stand

Joe Root and Dawid Malan resuscitated England's innings

Just when it looked like England's innings was going awry, Joe Root came as a saviour and salvaged the rut with the help of Dawid Malan, whose reputation keeps growing after every single game. The duo stitched together a century partnership that not only lifted England from a poor start but also gave them the momentum until Root succumbed to the new ball.

Root and Malan took their time to judge the conditions and was rather slow to start with, allowing a slew of maidens post the tea break. But once set, the duo gave the Aussies little to celebrate about. Root was, as usual, busy while Malan stuck through against the Aussies to give England a good platform. However, three balls after the new ball was taken, Root was undone by Mitchell Starc.

#1 Dawid Malan's charmed life

Malan survived a couple of run-out chances

Dawid Malan notched up yet another half-century in the series, his fourth 50+ score in the five matches (he smashed one hundred too) but the knock at Sydney was fraught was luck. Having escaped a run-out chance early, Malan went on to have a terrible mix-up with his skipper, Joe Root.

If not for Mitchell Marsh's throw to the wrong end and Nathan Lyon's fumble, Malan would have taken the long walk back to the pavilion. To follow up with the lucky break, Malan was dropped by Steven Smith off Nathan Lyon when on 34. He went on to make use of the reprieves and compile a fine half-century.