Harry Brook praised Brendon McCullum's coaching influence as key to his prolific Test form, starring again in the Ashes with an unbeaten knock at the SCG despite England trailing the series.

England has won the toss and chosen to bat first against Australia in the final Ashes test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

That his precocious talent has only blossomed in this fifth Test is one of the biggest disappointments of this Ashes tour

Harry Brook falls short of his first century in Australia, as he adds just six runs to his overnight score before being caught for 84 by Steve Smith to end a 169-run partnership between Brook and Joe Root,

England batsman Harry Brook struck his highest score of the Ashes series on Sunday, ending the first day of the fifth test on 78 not out after showing the kind of patience and discipline that he has too often lacked on a disappointing tour.

Speaking at the post-day press conference on Saturday, Brook described the Ashes series so far as frustrating, noting that although he's consistently scored in double figures, he hasn't been able to convert them into big scores like he usually does.

Geoffrey Boycott continues to expect great things from his Yorkshire compatriot Harry Brook, but asked him to ‘take note’ from the greatest of all time.