The Ashes live cricket scores: Australia and England resume battle in fifth and final Test at the SCG

The floodlights have come on at the SCG as a storm rolling in from the west draws ever closer.

Joe Root and Harry Brook would hate to have their rhythm broken up but have done their job sublimely so far.

ENG 3-194

In what was the closest Joe Root has came to losing his wicket so far in this series, a slash at a wide delivery from Cam Green just evaded Usman Khawaja at point.

Later in the over, Harry Brook top-edged a pull shot which fell well short of fine leg but followed up with a hook which flew for six, with the pair clearly looking to ram home their advantage.

ENG 3-191

Australia look bereft of ideas, with Joe Root and Harry Brook still looking very comfortable at the crease.

A rain break which is drawing ever closer as grey storm clouds close in on the SCG could provide a welcome chance to regroup.

Brendon McCullum is liking what he has seen from his batters, with the England coach looking very comfortable as he completes a crossword.

ENG 3-181

A 118-run partnership between Joe Root and Zak Crawley has now surpassed the 117-run stand between Root and Crawley in Brisbane as England’s highest of the series.

Short of the batters themselves making an error, it is hard to see this pair being broken up any time soon.

ENG 3-175

Unfortunately, it would not be a Sydney Test without a rain interruption and one may not be too far away.

Conditions currently look fine at the SCG but a storm which the Bureau of Meteorology expects to bring up to 9mm of rain is closing in on the city from the west.

Thankfully, not one drop of precipitation is expected on the final four days of the game.

ENG 3-170

Joe Root has greeted the introduction of Beau Webster to the bowling attack for the first time this summer with a cut shot to bring up his half-century.

The stroke also brought up a 100-run stand with Harry Brook.

England’s most prolific batter has hit seven boundaries in what has been a fine knock so far.

Later in the over, Brook thrashed the all-rounder through the covers to move along to the milestone himself.

ENG 3-161

Harry Brook has escapted with a huge slice of luck, with a top edge from a wild pull shot somehow managing to find the vacant grass between three Australian fielders.

A huge score is for the taking if the England star can control his indulgences, but that has proven to be a challenge on this tour.

ENG 3-155

Harry Brook again took the first ball of a new Michael Neser over to the boundary, this time with a sublime glide through the off side.

The Barmy Army are showing their appreciation for the up-and-coming star as both he and Joe Root close in on half-centuries in a stand now worth 95.

ENG 3-152

On a wicket not offering much assistance to the seamers, Australia are now employing a short-ball theory, with Mitchell Starc bowling with a number of catchers on the leg side.

In what was his first harebrained moment of his knock, Harry Brook immediately looked to back away and slash over the off side, with his edge falling short of Beau Webster at fly slip.

Facing a more traditional field, Joe Root again drove through the covers for four to move within two runs of a half-century.

ENG 3-147

Harry Brook often looks to put returning bowlers under immediate pressure and did just that to Michael Neser with a leg glance which raced to the boundary.

After hitting what was just his third four of the innings, he ran a single to move along to 38 from 48 balls.

ENG 3-142