JOE ROOT was caught just 17 short of his first Test century in Australia as he shared a big partnership with Dawid Malan.
Captain Root was out for 83 thanks to a Mitchell Marsh diving catch before England closed on 233-5 on day one of the Fifth Test.
Having converted just three of his previous 18 half-centuries into three-figure scores, Root will be gutted to fall short again.
It was his fourth fifty of the Ashes series. If he had turned a couple of them into hundreds, England would not be 3-0 down.
Root rarely looked in trouble – until sinking to his knees with England 228-4 – and he had found a staunch ally in Malan, who has been England’s find of the tour.
The Middlesex left-hander, who scored a century in the Third Test in Perth, showed application and patience.
He enjoyed some luck, particularly when he found himself stranded at the same end as Root after a mix-up over a single.
But Marsh at short fine leg threw to the wrong end and then wicketkeeper Tim Paine hurled waywardly to Nathan Lyon at the bowler’s end. Malan was able to escape.
Malan was also dropped by Aussie skipper Steve Smith off Lyon when 34.
Despite the start being delayed by more than two hours because of morning rain, Root chose to bat first.
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The ball did not move as much as most pundits expected and England were able to build a decent foundation.
But, as has been the case throughout the series, most batsmen did not go on to a significant score after getting a start.
Mark Stoneman breezed to 24 at a run-a-ball but then fenced at a delivery from Pat Cummins and was caught behind.
As per usual, James Vince batted stylishly but then perished when dreaming of producing something noteworthy.
He edged a catch behind attempting to force a wide ball from Cummins.
When Alastair Cook was lbw following a review by the Aussies, England were 95-3 and only a wicket or two away from a crisis.
But Root and Malan produced their century partnership for the fourth wicket.
They were helped by Aussie left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc, who missed the previous match with a heel injury, appearing to struggle with a calf problem and being down on pace.
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