Ben Duckett and Jack Crowley once again gave England a quick start. Both added 79 runs in 17 overs for the first wicket. Duckett became the victim of Mitchell Starc after playing an innings of 42 runs. Jack Crowley could add only two runs to his innings in the post-lunch session and was dismissed for 73. In an attempt to drive the ball from Pat Cummins, he touched the bat and caught Steve Smith standing in the slips. This ended an impressive Ashes series for Crawley, who scored a total of 480 runs in nine innings.
Root reached his half-century by hitting three consecutive fours and completed his fifty by taking a single off Todd Murphy. This Australian spinner took the wicket of Ben Stokes (42 runs). The England captain batted at number three due to an injury to Moeen Ali but was dismissed before his half-century. Stokes tried to hit Murphy’s ball at mid-on but was caught by Cummins and reached the pavilion. With this, England’s score became 213 runs for three wickets. England had passed the 250-run mark at tea, despite the dismissal of Harry Brook for seven.
Johnny Bairstow and Joe Root shared a 110-run partnership for the 5th wicket. Root was heading towards a century but was bowled by Murphy after scoring 91 runs. Johnny Bairstow contributed 78 runs. Injured Moeen Ali scored 29 runs in the 7th over. Australia’s bowlers did not allow Woakes and Mark Wood to stay at the crease for long. Mitchell Starc took 4 for Australia while Todd Murphy took 3 wickets.