The Ashes LIVE: All the newest scores and updates because the Aussies attempt to ship Usman Khawaja out a winner in his final match

The Aussie great had to be put in an induced coma in a Gold Coast hospital after falling ill with meningitis on Boxing Day.

Now his family have given a promising update on his condition.

‘Damien is progressing well with his medical treatment,’ Martyn’s partner Amanda said.

‘We would like to thank everyone for the incredible outpouring of support our family has received.

‘We also want to express our deepest appreciation to the medical team at Gold Coast University Hospital who have been nothing short of amazing throughout this challenging time.

‘This has been a trying time and the family ask that you respect their privacy.’

All-rounder Beau Webster – who has been backed to replace the out-of-form Cameron Green at the SCG – has been seen marking out his run-up before play this morning.

Green and Michael Neser have also placed their marks, leading to speculation that Todd Murphy (pictured below with Green) could be about to miss out on a spot – and going without a spinner in Sydney is incredibly rare for the hosts.

The prime minister has sent a warm message to Khawaja, who has been tipped to make a move into politics at some stage…

Khawaja said the furore over him playing golf before suffering back spasms that left him unable to open in the first Test was an example of the racial stereotyping he’s suffereed throughout his career.

Former fast bowler Jason Gillespie disagreed yesterday, saying, ‘A few former players came out and quite rightly questioned whether that [playing golf before the Perth Test] was the best possible preparation.

‘Being questioned over that and being held to account over your choices, that’s not bullying, it’s not abuse, that’s all part and parcel of being a professional.

‘You can’t really throw a temper tantrum when asked to take accountability for the job you’re actually paid to do.’

As was the case in Adelaide and Melbourne, police equipped with long-arm rifles will be patrolling the ground and surrounding areas today, along with mounted and riot squad officers.

There will also be an on-field tribute to the victims and first responders after the atrocity at the famous beach, featuring a guard of honour and round of applause.

It’s currently bright and sunny in the Harbour City, as you can see from this shot of Aussie spinner Todd Murphy examining the pitch this morning… but it’s no certainty to stay that way.

Rain in the New Year’s Test has become an unwanted tradition, so much so that there have been calls for the match to be switched out of Sydney.

Today’s forecast predicts a 50 per cent chance of rain, starting at 2pm local time and going through to 7pm.

Sydney is sunny (for now – more on that in a minute) and as you can see from these pics, fans have formed a huge queue outside the SCG with more than an hour to go before the first ball is bowled.

Thanks for joining us for the Mail’s coverage of day one of the fifth and final Test of the series from the SCG.

We’ll be bringing you up-to-the-minute scores, updates and reactions as England try to repeat their MCG victory – and the Aussies strive to make Usman Khawaja’s last match in the baggy green one to remember.