Athers on Australia's late wickets, Mason Crane and more after day one at the SCG
Thursday 4 January 2018 22:45, UK
Like a gripping crime novel, day one at the SCG had a twist in the tale, with England losing Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow to slip from 228-3 to 233-5.
SCORECARD | ASHES 2017/18 HOMEPAGE
The new ball did the trick for Australia as Root (83) picked out Mitchell Marsh at square leg and Bairstow - having declined the option of a night-watchman - nicked off for five.
Watch Michael Atherton's review of day one of the fifth Ashes Test in the video above, as he says England's middle order - including the unbeaten Dawid Malan (55) and Moeen Ali, who will stroll out to bat at No 7 in the morning - now need to give the side a "kick".
Ali was retained in the England XI despite a tough tour and Athers says the spin found by Nathan Lyon shows the tourists were right to play him and hand a debut to fellow tweaker Mason Crane.
The former England captain also says Root made the right call to bat first, before lamenting the team's all-to-familiar top-order story. "Mark Stoneman played beautifully but twenties don't win you Test matches".
Head to skysports.com every day of the Ashes Tests for Athers' video reviews.
