Australia won the toss and batted first. Matt Renshaw, returning after five years, tested positive for Covid.

Anrich Nortje dismissed David Warner in the fourth over of the innings.

Marnus Labuschagne made a sedate beginning but begin to take on the short deliveries on what was a slow SCG wicket.

At the other end, Usman Khawaja was industrious, if not adenturous.

Against the spin pair of Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj, Labsuchagne expertly used the sweep shot and to great effect.

Labuschagne appeared to have been caught when on 70 but third umpire overruled the soft signal on Simon Harmer's catch at first slip.

Both Labuschagne and Khawaja hit half-centuries and put on 135 for the second wicket.

Labuschagne was dismissed on 79 by Anrich Nortje moments before what was the close of play on the day due to rains and bad light.

Bad light at the SCG meant only 47 overs of play were possible on the opening day.