Ashes 2019: Joe Root dropped twice as England edge first session at The Oval

Joe Root was given two let-offs by an uncharacteristically sloppy Australian effort in the field – dropped on 24 and again on 25 – as England reached lunch on day one of the fifth Ashes Test on 86-1.

SCORECARD | AS IT HAPPENED

Having won the toss and inserted their hosts, Australia struggled to find a great deal of assistance from The Oval surface beyond Joe Denly (14) nicking to second slip in the ninth over, only for Root (28no) to present a couple of golden opportunities late in the session.

Pat Cummins was the unfortunate bowler on both occasions, with Peter Siddle first putting down a simple chance at fine leg and then captain Tim Paine failing to hold on to a routine outside edge, tipping it one-handed over the slips, in Cummins’ very next over.

Cummins (1-28) was unquestionably the pick of the Australian bowlers in the morning session, the one to find that little bit of nibble off the pitch, as early as his opening over to Rory Burns.

Burns produced another battling knock in the series, reaching lunch unbeaten on 42, having initially been given out lbw to Josh Hazlewood in the fourth over of the day. But the Surrey opener reviewed and survived on height, with the ball thudding into his thigh pad and heading over.

Australia finally got a breakthrough when Denly was tempted into a drive at a ball on a good length from Cummins, sending it to Steve Smith at second slip, who too came close to dropping the chance before hauling it in on the third attempt.

Burns and Root then appeared to have battled through the tricky first hour, bringing up their fifty stand as the pitch appeared to flatten out, only for the England captain to benefit from some good fortune late on in the session.

Watch continued live coverage of the fifth Test between England and Australia on Sky Sports The Ashes.

(c) Sky Sports 2019: Ashes 2019: Joe Root dropped twice as England edge first session at The Oval