AUS Vs ENG, Ashes, Live Cricket Scores, 4th Test: Marcus Harris Leads Australia (106/1) As Play Resumes After Rain Interruption

Having endured a nine-wicket loss in Brisbane, a 275-run loss in the day-night Test in Adelaide and the thumping innings and 14-run defeat in the Boxing Day Test, COVID-19 ravaged England aim to bounce back at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the venue of the fourth Ashes Test from Wednesday. England have happy memories of the SCG. Their last Test win in Australia came here in 2011. Joe Root's men will play for pride while Australia will be relentless in their quest for a five-nil result. England will be reinforced by the return of Stuart Broad in place of their most successful Ashes bowler Ollie Robinson (nine wickets), who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury. England's biggest concern has been their batting and if there is no real improvement there then Australia are set to dominate again with their pace battery, where Scott Boland has been sensational.  Boland took six wickets for seven runs as England collapsed in the second innings to be all out for 68 in Melbourne, allowing Australia to retain the Ashes with two matches to spare.

(LIVE SCORECARD | NZ vs BAN SCORECARD | SA vs IND SCORECARD)

11:55 AM IST: Century for Australia 

100 up for Australia. The home side looks solid once again as they have been doing in the series. Marcus Harris (36*) and Marnus Labuschagne (21*) have so far negated the England bowling attack.       

11:17 AM IST: Play resumes

Play has begun with Marcus Harris and Marnus Labuschangne leading the Australian charge. Australia 80/1.  

10:50 AM IST: Players come out

The players on the field along with the floodlights. Play to go on till 1.30 PM IST. 

10:39 AM IST: More rain

Just as it was expected for the play to resume, the rain gods have opened up once again.    

10:12 AM IST: Tea break 

The rain hasn't stopped. From slight drizzle to steady rain and now it has become heavy.  

8:53 AM IST: Rain stops play

Rain stops play again and the covers are on. The groundstaff have covered the square. Meanwhile, Stuart Broad has dismissed David Warner for 30 just before the rain came down. It was the 13th time that Broad has dismissed Warner in Tests.  Australia 56/1  

8:34 AM IST: 50 up for Australia

Australia have crossed the 50-run mark in 20 overs. Marcus Harris is batting on 13 while David Warner is unbeaten on 30. Australia 50/0 

7:18 AM IST: Lunch break 

It's raining again here in Sydney and lunch has been announced. Only 12.3 overs have been possible in the first session. Australia 30/0.  

Another rain delay at the SCG ðŸÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂŒ§ï¸Â

At 30/0, Australia have made an ideal start to the fourth #Ashes Test.#AUSvENG | #WTC23 pic.twitter.com/cyq9I4qSpd

— ICC (@ICC) January 5, 2022

Meanwhile, Bangladesh have created history at the Bay Oval as they defeated New Zealand for the first time ever in their own backyard. Bangladesh won by 8 wickets to take 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series.   

6:54 AM IST: AUS go slow

Rain is playing catch and go in Sydney. After the toss was delayed, the rain gods came once again for a brief period. The good news is that play has started. Australia 27/0. Marcus Harris and David Warner are opening for the hosts  

5:45 AM IST: Playing XIs

England: Haseeb Hameed, Zak Crawley, Dawid Malan, Joe Root(c), Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler(w), Mark Wood, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

Australia: Marcus Harris, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

5:44 AM IST: Toss

Australia have won the toss and they will bat first.