England’s bowlers will look to gain the initiative in the fourth Ashes Test after taking two Australia wickets at the end of a stop-start rain-affected opening day.

Stuart Broad continued to act as David Warner’s nemesis when he marked his return to the side with a familiar looking dismissal against the left-hander.

Australia were building a strong foundation until late breakthroughs from James Anderson and Mark Wood dragged them back towards parity before play concluded after just 46.5 overs.

The dismissals of Marcus Harris and world number one batter Marnus Labuschagne left the hosts, already in an unassailable 3-0 lead, on 126 for three – although they may need to dodge more showers on day two.

Magic number

England’s longest serving Test captains

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Joe Root broke an England leadership record when he walked out for the toss. It is not yet certain that he will continue to lead the side beyond this series but he is already in the history books as the country’s most tenured skipper.

Pick of the pics

‘Marvellous’ media centre

Wednesday’s action marked the first working day in the newly named ‘Richie Benaud Media Centre’. Few characters are as beloved on both sides of the Ashes divide as the great leg-spinner, captain and commentator. Benaud, who died aged 84 in 2015, is honoured by a mural which includes the following inscription: “Cricket has so many meanings to so many Australians. It’s become precisely that, an Australian way of life. And what a life it is. Some would even go as far as to say, marvellous.”

View from the dressing room

Watching the skies

After regular interruptions and just 46.5 overs of play on day one – a tick over half the scheduled cricket – time will need to be made up with an early start. The bad news? More rain is forecast. A delayed started is very much possible, but the outlook improves from mid-afternoon.