SYDNEY: England finished the first day of the fourth Ashes Test on a high after the seamers provided late breakthroughs on a rain-affected day.

Australia finished at 126/3 as the heavy rain forced early stumps and only 47 overs could be bowled.

At the toss, Australian captain – Pat Cummins elected to bat first after the coin flipped in his favour. Batting first, the openers provided a decent start to the side; putting on a brilliant fifty-plus opening partnership. The opening pair appeared to be solid, but, David Warner dismissed after scoring 30. He smashed six boundaries.

Marcus Harris and the top-ranked Test batter – Marnus Labuschagne then put on a magnificent partnership, the pair added 60 runs to the team’s total before Harris fell short to James Anderson after scoring 38.

Soon after, in the next over, Labushagne also lost his wicket. The right-handed batter nicked the ball straight into the hands of Jos Buttler on Mark Wood’s back of a length delivery. He managed to score 28 off 59 balls; hitting four boundaries.

Following his dismissal, the home side slipped from 111/1 to 117/3; handing the touring side a late advantage. Steven Smith (6*) and Usman Khawaja (4*) will now resume the proceedings for Australia at 126/3 on day two of the ongoing Test.

For England, Anderson, Wood, and Broad claimed one wicket apiece.

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