The first day of the fifth and the final Ashes Test match saw the teams play out only 59 out of the stipulated 90 overs thanks to the inclement weather.

However, those were enough to put England on top at the end of the day as the hosts got to 134 but had lost four wickets in the process.

When the Aussies won the toss and decided to bat first, it did look like they seemed to have learnt from their previous game’s mistakes. The opening duo of Phil Hughes and Shane Watson added 55 for the first wicket in what was a slowish partnership. However, just at the stroke of lunch, Hughes was out in the manner that has been his Achilles Heel – squaring up to a ball from Chris Tremlett and edging it to the slips.

Watson was then involved in another half-century partnership with debutant Usman Khwaja but once Watson departed, the Aussies lost two more wickets before the rains came down. Tim Bresnan picked up a couple, including that of the newly appointed Australian captain Michael Clarke.

Australia had gone into the game knowing that nothing short of a win at Sydney would help their cause. With the track expected to take turn on the last couple of days, a good total in the first innings will go a long way in ensuring that the Australia snatch the upper hand in the Test match. Currently, England continues to remain favourites with an offer of 11/8 (Blue Square) to make it 3-1 and with the inclement weather around, a drawn game is at 13/8 (SkyBet).

Australia need to bat the whole day tomorrow to get to a fighting total of more than 400. If they do get there, Michael Hussey and the rest of the batsmen will have a lot to do. BetFred offers 7/2 for an Australian win.