In a rarity at a sporting event in Australia, police with long-arm rifles, mounted police, and riot squad officers were on patrol as part of heightened security measures at the sold-out match following the antisemitic Bondi Beach terror attack, which killed 15 people three weeks ago.

Before play commenced, victims of the shootings, first responders, and community members were honoured with an on-field tribute, including a guard of honour and a standing ovation from the capacity crowd.

In strong emotional scenes, the largest roar of the morning was for Ahmed al Ahmed, the shop owner who helped put an end to the rampage of one of the shooters, as he joined other community members and emergency services on the field.

After the standing ovation, Mr. Ahmed, along with the others, was greeted by the Australian team with Usman Khawaja embracing Mr. Ahmed, who was wearing a sling to protect the shoulder where he was shot during the attack.

Mr. Khawaja is playing his 88th and final test for Australia after announcing his retirement on Friday (January 2, 2026).

England was 114-3 at lunch on Day 1 of the final Ashes test against Australia on Sunday amid a strong security presence at the Sydney Cricket Ground and after an emotional on-field tribute for the Bondi terror victims and first responders.

England was 114-3 at lunch on Day-1

After losing three wickets in quick succession midway through the session, fourth-wicket pair Joe Root and Harry Brook guided England to lunch in a good position.

At the break, Root was unbeaten on 31, and Brook was 23 not out. Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley got away to a swift start after England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bat on a bright, sunny day in Sydney.

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Mitchell Starc ended their partnership at 35 when he teased an edge from Duckett (27) through to wicketkeeper Alex Carey for his 27th wicket of the series.

Australia then made a double strike just after the drinks break with Michael Neser trapping Crawley (16) lbw and, eight balls later, Scott Boland sending Jacob Bethell (10) on his way with a trademark ball that nipped off the seam and caught the edge through to Carey. At 57-3 England was in trouble before Root and Brook doubled their score without further damage.

No place for spin

Australia made one change with allrounder Beau Webster getting his first appearance of the series at the expense of Jhye Richardson. Webster’s recall meant there was no space for spinner Todd Murphy, the first time Australia has not fielded a specialist spinner at the SCG since 1888.

England called up speedster Matthew Potts after Gus Atkinson pulled up lame during the Boxing Day test in its only change. England lost each of the first three tests to allow Australia to retain the Ashes in just 11 days of on-field action.

England then won its first Ashes match Down Under since 2011 with a four-wicket win in the Boxing Day test that led to days of sustained criticism about the overly grassed pitch.

Families of Bondi Beach shooting victims have urged Australia’s Prime Minister to launch a royal commission— an independent public inquiry— into the “rapid rise of antisemitism”, warning more lives could be lost without action.

Father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram are accused of targeting a Hanukkah event on Sydney’s Bondi Beach on December 14, killing 15 people and injuring dozens in what authorities have said was an antisemitic terrorist attack.

Seventeen families, in a letter issued on Monday (December 29, 2025), called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to “immediately establish a Commonwealth Royal Commission into the rapid rise of antisemitism in Australia” and examine the “law enforcement, intelligence, and policy failures that led to the Bondi Beach massacre”.

“We demand answers and solutions,” the families wrote.

“We need to know why clear warning signs were ignored, how antisemitic hatred and Islamic extremism were allowed to dangerously grow unchecked, and what changes must be made to protect all Australians going forward.”

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has so far resisted calls for a federal inquiry, citing a need for urgent action rather than “division and delay”.

He said last week that a New South Wales-led royal commission— where the shooting occurred— would suffice and promised full support.

The federal government has flagged a suite of reforms to gun ownership and hate speech laws, as well as a review of police and intelligence services.

But the families of those killed on Bondi said this is “not nearly enough”.

“We have lost parents, spouses, children, and grandparents. Our loved ones were celebrating Chanukah at Bondi Beach, a festival of light and joy, in an iconic public space that should have been safe,” the letter said.

“You owe us answers. You owe us accountability. And you owe Australians the truth.”

The families said the rise of antisemitism was a “national crisis”, adding the “threat was not going away”.

“We need strong action now. We need leadership now. You cannot bring back our loved ones. But with a well-led Commonwealth Royal Commission and strong action, you may be able to save many more.”

One of the gunmen, Sajid Akram, 50, was shot and killed by police during the Bondi attack. An Indian national, he entered Australia on a visa in 1998.

His 24-year-old son Naveed, an Australian-born citizen, remains in a correctional facility and faces multiple charges, including terrorism and 15 murders, as well as committing a “terrorist act” and planting a bomb with intent to harm.

He has yet to enter a plea over the charges.