<p>Australia took three early wickets in the opening session of the fifth and final Ashes test but Harry Brook led an England riposte as the hosts reached lunch on 131-3 on Thursday.</p>.<p>Brook walked in with England wobbling on 73-3 but smashed 48 off 41 balls, including two sixes, during another breathless session in a series that just keeps giving.</p>.<p>With the Ashes already retained by Australia following the wash-out at Old Trafford last week, the visitors, who lead 2-1, are seeking a first series win in England since 2001.</p>.<p>England, on the other hand, have a score to settle after being denied victory in Manchester when only 30 overs were possible on the last two days with Australia in deep trouble.</p>.<p>Australia skipper Pat Cummins finally won a toss, having lost the previous four, and not surprisingly opted to put England into bat on a grey and humid morning.</p>.<p>Also unsurprising was the way in which England's openers, Ben Duckett in particular, went about their business, scoring at virtually a run a ball in the opening hour.</p>.<p>Duckett struck Mitchell Stark for two boundaries in the fifth over, then flat-batted an 85mph Josh Hazelwood delivery to the ropes in the next over, almost cutting fellow opener Zak Crawley in half at the non-striker's end.</p>.<p>He had a huge let-off in Cummins' first ball of the day when he slashed at a wide delivery, edging high to first slip where David Warner spilled the catch.</p>.<p>Crawley was also put down in Mitchell Marsh's first over, although this time there was no blame to Steve Smith who did well just to get fingers on the ball.</p>.<p>The missed opportunities were not too costly for Australia though as Duckett fell to the last ball of the 12th over having made 41 from 41 balls, gloving a leg-side Marsh delivery to Alex Carey, the decision being given after a DRS review.</p>.<p>Crawley departed in the next over for 22, getting a thick leading edge to a full-length delivery from Cummins that veered back in, Smith this time pouching a simple catch.</p>.<p>When Joe Root chopped on to Hazlewood in the 16th over having made only five, England were reeling at 73-3 and it could have been worse for the hosts had Carey held a low catch when Brook edged a drive off Cummins in the next over.</p>.<p>But Brook set about repairing the damage with a flurry of attacking strokes and a little good fortune.</p>.<p>His fifth boundary brought up England's 100 and with lunch looming he cut loose, thumping Mitchell Starc for successive fours and then cleared the ropes with a six over fine leg.</p>.<p>Moeen Ali was 10 not out.</p>
<p>Australia took three early wickets in the opening session of the fifth and final Ashes test but Harry Brook led an England riposte as the hosts reached lunch on 131-3 on Thursday.</p>.<p>Brook walked in with England wobbling on 73-3 but smashed 48 off 41 balls, including two sixes, during another breathless session in a series that just keeps giving.</p>.<p>With the Ashes already retained by Australia following the wash-out at Old Trafford last week, the visitors, who lead 2-1, are seeking a first series win in England since 2001.</p>.<p>England, on the other hand, have a score to settle after being denied victory in Manchester when only 30 overs were possible on the last two days with Australia in deep trouble.</p>.<p>Australia skipper Pat Cummins finally won a toss, having lost the previous four, and not surprisingly opted to put England into bat on a grey and humid morning.</p>.<p>Also unsurprising was the way in which England's openers, Ben Duckett in particular, went about their business, scoring at virtually a run a ball in the opening hour.</p>.<p>Duckett struck Mitchell Stark for two boundaries in the fifth over, then flat-batted an 85mph Josh Hazelwood delivery to the ropes in the next over, almost cutting fellow opener Zak Crawley in half at the non-striker's end.</p>.<p>He had a huge let-off in Cummins' first ball of the day when he slashed at a wide delivery, edging high to first slip where David Warner spilled the catch.</p>.<p>Crawley was also put down in Mitchell Marsh's first over, although this time there was no blame to Steve Smith who did well just to get fingers on the ball.</p>.<p>The missed opportunities were not too costly for Australia though as Duckett fell to the last ball of the 12th over having made 41 from 41 balls, gloving a leg-side Marsh delivery to Alex Carey, the decision being given after a DRS review.</p>.<p>Crawley departed in the next over for 22, getting a thick leading edge to a full-length delivery from Cummins that veered back in, Smith this time pouching a simple catch.</p>.<p>When Joe Root chopped on to Hazlewood in the 16th over having made only five, England were reeling at 73-3 and it could have been worse for the hosts had Carey held a low catch when Brook edged a drive off Cummins in the next over.</p>.<p>But Brook set about repairing the damage with a flurry of attacking strokes and a little good fortune.</p>.<p>His fifth boundary brought up England's 100 and with lunch looming he cut loose, thumping Mitchell Starc for successive fours and then cleared the ropes with a six over fine leg.</p>.<p>Moeen Ali was 10 not out.</p>