<p><br /> England eked out four Australia wickets between breaks for rain and bad light on day one of the fifth Test at the SCG.<br /> </p><p><br /> Phil Hughes saved the tourists from a rare wicketless session in this winter's Ashes, when he fell to the last ball before lunch, and England struck a second time with what turned out to be the final delivery before an early end - Graeme Swann grabbing the important wicket of debutant number three Usman Khawaja.<br /> </p><p><br /> Australia finished on a total of 134 for four when rain moved in by mid-evening to force an early close.<br /> </p><p><br /> Three home batsmen - Hughes, Khawaja and Shane Watson - all got set but were dismissed between 30 and 50, and it was England who could be happier with their day's work.<br /> </p><p><br /> Watson and Hughes guided the hosts safely to 55 without loss, after stand-in captain Michael Clarke had chosen to bat first, until the left-hander fenced a catch high to third slip Paul Collingwood off the deserving Chris Tremlett.<br /> </p><p><br /> A second half-century stand followed between Watson and Khawaja. But the opener - who had left expertly throughout - then followed one from Tim Bresnan that he perhaps need not have, and edged to Andrew Strauss at first slip.<br /> </p><p><br /> A noisy, and mixed, reception greeted Michael Clarke's walk to the crease. He responded with a push through cover for three off Bresnan first ball but could add only one more either side of a first rain break before guiding a routine catch to gully off the same bowler.<br /> </p><p><br /> It was perhaps a bigger blow to home hopes, however, when Swann saw off Khawaja in the first over of his second spell - the left-hander mistiming a sweep which looped to backward square-leg.<br /> </p><p><br /> Within seconds, Khawaja was being followed off the pitch by the remaining players - as rain began to fall and, after a delay, a premature end was called to the day.<br /> </p>
