Sydney: Australia posted 126 for the loss of three wickets at stumps on first day of the fourth Ashes Test here at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday.
Steve Smith (6 not out) and Usman Khawaja (4 not out) saw off the day towards the end. Both Australia and England made one change each in their playing eleven.
The visitors brought Stuart Broad in place of Ollie Robinson, while the hosts called Khawaja to replace Travis Head, who has been ruled out after testing Covid-19 positive.
Australia opted to bat first after the toss was delayed due to wet outfield.
Only 12.3 were played in the morning session as the rain forced the early break. Australia were 30 for loss with David Warner and Marcus Harris on the crease.
Post lunch, Broad gave England their first breakthrough when he dismissed Warner for 30, who chased a wide one and edged the ball to Zak Crawley in the slip.
Rain again stopped the play and tea break was taken early, with Australia reeling on 56/1.
Only 21.4 overs were played in the first two sessions, as the rain continued to interrupt the play.
In the final session, Harris and Marnus Labuschagne put a 68-run stand before James Anderson removed Harris for 38.
Soon after Harris' dismissal, Labuschagne (28) got caught on a Mark Wood delivery in the 41st over.
In the 47th over rain interrupted the play again and forced the stumps early on Day1 of the penultimate Test with 37 minutes left in a day.
For England, Anderson, Broad and Wood claimed one wicket each. (UNI)