James Anderson and Mark Wood hit back late on a rain-marred opening day to give beleaguered England some hope in the fourth Ashes Test at Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday.

Australia, holding an unassailable 3-0 series lead, looked in a strong position at 111 for one before pacemen Anderson and Wood struck in the space of seven balls. At stumps, after only 46.5 overs were possible following four rain interruptions, Australia were 126-3 with Steven Smith on six and Usman Khawaja, playing in his first Test since 2019, unbeaten on four.