Zak Crawley was dismissed in the first over of England’s second innings as Mitchell Starc struck again with a delightful caught-and-bowled as the tourist attempt to set a challenging total for Australia to chase in the final innings of the match.
Brydon Carse had earlier wrapped up Australia’s first innings in the morning session of day two to open up a lead of 40 runs following a chaotic first day in Perth.
Ben Stokes inspired a heroic England fightback to put the visitors in a superb position after the tourists had collapsed to 172 all-out. The England captain produced a fabulous five-wicket haul with some clever strategy helping along the way with Jofra Archer taking two wickets and Carse the other three in a fine display of pace bowling.
England’s bowling overwhelmed Australia, who surprisingly started without their expected opener Usman Khawaja, with the rules preventing him from taking to the field after a prolonged absence during the England innings. “Poor management ... beyond a joke,” said the former Australia player Tom Moody.
Follow all the latest updates from Perth, plus analysis and reaction to an already pulsating first Ashes Test down under
Read MoreThe clever Ben Stokes move that gives England an Ashes edge to stun Australia
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The Ashes 2025/26: Australia v England, 1st Test, day two
- Day Two resumes on Saturday morning with Australia bowled out for 132
- WICKET! Zak Crawley dismissed by Mitchell Starc for another duck
- Nathan Lyon and Brendan Doggett add nine runs but England secure 40-run lead after first innings
- Australia fume over Khawaja blunder in first Test – ‘beyond a joke’
- Day One Report: The clever Ben Stokes move that gives England an Ashes edge to stun Australia
England 59-1 (Pope 24, Duckett 28)
04:15 , Mike JonesOllie Pope’s run of dot balls comes to an end as he pushes Boland to mid on and takes a quick single.
Boland has switched up the angle to Duckett and is now coming round the wicket.
He targets the body and strikes the England opener who grimaces after a knock on the elbow.
The physio comes on with a ball left in the over, England don’t want Duckett to have to go off...
England 58-1 (Pope 23, Duckett 28)
04:11 , Mike JonesThat’s good. Duckett leans into an overpitched full ball from Doggett and drives straight down the ground.
He picks up four runs and takes England to 58 which is also the biggest partnership of the match so far.
Will we see a bit of Nathan Lyon before lunch?
England 54-1 (Pope 23, Duckett 24)
04:07 , Mike JonesOllie Pope is still searching for runs despite a bit of movement off the pitch and some tighter lines from Boland and Doggett.
Three dot balls for the former seems to frustrate Pope but one delivery jags off the seam which makes England’s No. 3 more wary.
Boland sends down a maiden as the ball is starting to move around. England need to keep switched on and get through the next 15 minutes or so until lunch.
England 54-1 (Pope 23, Duckett 24)
04:07 , Mike JonesOllie Pope is still searching for runs despite a bit of movement off the pitch and some tighter lines from Boland and Doggett.
Three dot balls for the former seems to frustrate Pope but one delivery jags off the seam which makes England’s No. 3 more wary.
Boland sends down a maiden as the ball is starting to move around. England need to keep switched on and get through the next 15 minutes or so until lunch.
England 54-1 (Pope 23, Duckett 24)
04:01 , Mike JonesDoggett is getting a nice bit of shape off the pitch as Pope fondles at the ball.
He’s lucky not to find an edge and remonstrates with himself after the play and miss.
A wide swipe brings him a single and he gets off strike.
Duckett then leans into a cool off drive and picks up two. Three runs off the over.
England 51-1 (Pope 22, Duckett 22)
03:57 , Mike JonesScott Boland is brought back into the attack and replaces Mitchell Starc.
It’s a fine balancing act for Steve Smith who needs wickets but can’t overwork his seamers.
Duckett is struck on the glove but takes a single and brings up England’s 50. It’s also a 50-run partnership for these two who will have a target of reaching lunch now.
Pope isn’t happy with the crowd behind the bowlers arm. They’re moving around above the sight screen and he wants them to sit down.
Pope takes a single off the last ball of the over.
England 49-1 (Pope 21, Duckett 21)
03:52 , Mike JonesOverthrows!
After taking two from the first ball of Doggett’s next over, Duckett calls Pope through for a quick single.
Jake Weatherald takes a shy at the stumps but misses and the ball sails away for four overthrows.
Wide, dispatched! Pope smokes Doggett through cover for three more as Egnland approach 50.
England 38-1 (Pope 18, Duckett 18)
03:47 , Mike JonesMitchell Starc is into his fifth over of the morning.
Duckett guides him away for a single before Pope swipes at a wide delivery and misses the ball.
Starc is still threatening but these two have handled him well enough so far.
Starc’s figures so far: 5-1-13-1
England 37-1 (Pope 18, Duckett 17)
03:42 , Mike JonesEngland have seen off Scott Boland.
Steve Smith makes a change to introduce Brendan Doggett after seven overs of England’s second innings.
Doggett got a bit of movement yesterday, can he challenge the England batters now?
Pope thrashes at a wider delivery to send the ball into the offside. Nathan Lyon, now back on the pitch, chases after it and grimaces as he throws the ball back towards Alex Carey.
Lyon’s injury is one to keep an eye on. It’ll be a huge blow if he can’t bowl.
Lovely! More width from Doggett and Pope rocks back to cut him away through backward point for a four!
England 29-1 (Pope 11, Duckett 16)
03:37 , Mike JonesHere’s a change of tactic from Starc.
He’s been angling the ball across the right-handers looking for the edge but the overhead conditions is bringing more swing for the left-armer.
As such, he’s trying to bring the ball back into the pads of Ollie Pope which brings LBW and bowled into play too.
A leg bye gets Pope off strike and Duckett has two deliveries to get through the over.
He keeps them out and collect a couple of runs.
England 26-1 (Pope 11, Duckett 14)
03:32 , Mike JonesBoland continues. He drifts into the pads of Pope who works him through the gap at midwicket for three runs.
Nathan Lyon is off the field after being struck while batting so for now Australia must rely on their seam bowlers.
Duckett takes one with a guided cut to third man.
Five runs off the over.
England 21-1 (Pope 7, Duckett 13)
03:29 , Mike JonesAfter the loss of Zak Crawley, England are looking to rebuild.
England 21-1 (Pope 7, Duckett 13)
03:27 , Mike JonesThat’s good. Starc continues and angles a delivery wide of Pope who leans into a drive a takes two runs.
Starc proved in the first innings that he is the dangerman for England but if these two can nullify his threat batting will get easier as the day goes on.
Pope drops the ball into the offside and calls Duckett through for one.
Starc has found more swing in this innings and is drawing a few loose shots out of Duckett.
No further joy for the big Australian though.
England 18-1 (Pope 4, Duckett 13)
03:24 , Mike JonesIt is a definite tactic from England to strike at Scott Boland.
Pope takes three from a stroke into the outfield before Duckett swings hard at the ball and collects a couple.
A thick edge over to third man brings the opener another boundary and England’s lead goes over 50.
England 9-1 (Pope 1, Duckett 7)
03:18 , Mike JonesRuns! Pope takes a single to get himself off the mark before Starc finds the outside edge of Duckett’s bat.
Fortuitously for the England opener the ball sails wide of the slips and gully and runs away for four to the third man boundary.
Duckett then drives through the gap at cover and collects another couple.
He’s a batter who likes to feel bat on ball so each run he scores will build his confidence - and take some away from Australia.
England 2-1 (Pope 0, Duckett 1)
03:13 , Mike JonesBoland begins by targeting Duckett’s off stump. He gets a bit of extra bounce and raps the opener on the gloves.
With his second ball he finds the edge of Duckett’s bat but the England man plays it with soft hands the ball lands short of the slips.
Egnland are away!
Duckett shimmies the ball into the legside and collects a single to get off the mark.
A leg bye brings Duckett back on strike and he advances down the pitch looking to take Boland on and force him off his line. It doesn’t quite work and there’s just the two runs off the over.
England 0-1 (Pope 0, Duckett 0)
03:07 , Mike JonesThat is the worst possible start for England as Zak Crawley is dismissed for his first ever pair in Test cricket.
Scott Boland has the ball in hand for the second over as Ollie Pope comes to the crease.
England need to dig in and see some of the shine off the new ball.
Wicket! England 0-1 (Crawley 0)
03:04 , Mike JonesWhat a catch!
Zak Crawley lasts just five balls as Mitchell Starc has his man again. He pushes forward and is early on his shot only managing to push the ball back towards Starc.
The big bowler leans off to the left and dives towards the ball, clinging onto it one handed and claiming a fine catch to dismiss Crawley for his second duck of the game!
England are one down in the first over of the innings again.
England 0-0 (Crawley 0, Duckett 0)
03:02 , Mike JonesThere’s a hint of movement from Starc who is looking to bring the ball back into the pads of the right-handed Crawley.
It’s a bit overcast in Perth today as Starc scrambles the seam to push the ball past Crawley’s off stump as he searches for an edge.
Start of innings: England 0-0 (Crawley 0, Duckett 0)
02:59 , Mike JonesEngland need to bat long. There’s enough time to bat Australia out of the Test but they must first weather the onslaught of Mitchell Starc.
Zak Crawley faces up to the first delivery and leaves it alone as Starc angles the ball across his body.
England’s second innings is underway as the Barmy Army begins to belt out a rendition of Jerusalem.
End of innings: Australia 132 all out, trail by 40 runs
02:57 , Mike JonesBen Stokes was the pick of the England bowlers with his figures of 5-23.
Jofra Archer set the tone and finished with 2-11 while Brydon Carse took vital wickets and ended the innings with figures of 3-45.
Mark Wood (0-21) and Gus Atkinson (0-24) chipped in too with accuracy and pace.
The seamers will want a long rest now and hope England’s batters can keep Australia in the field for a long while.
Wicket! Australia 132 all out (Lyon 4)
02:48 , Mike JonesYes!
He goes full and wide to Nathan Lyon who fancies a drive. A thick edge comes and the ball sails through to Ben Duckett who clings onto the catch!
England wrap up the Australian innings for 132 runs with the final wicket coming inside five over on the start of day two.
Brydon Carse finishes with three wickets.
Australia 132-9 (Lyon 4, Doggett 7)
02:47 , Mike JonesHere’s the first bowling change off the day as Brydon Carse replaces Mark Wood.
Can he cause the breakthrough for England?
Australia 132-9 (Lyon 4, Doggett 7)
02:46 , Mike JonesOllie Pope has been shifted across to silly mid off as Gus Atkinson continues.
Doggett evades a short ball aimed at his upper body and Harry Brook plays a shadow ramp shot from his position at second slip as if to give the tailender some ideas.
Atkinson finds a good length and Doggett looks to swipe one into the legside. The pace is too quick though and he toes his attempted pull into his own thigh.
The Australian No.11 is looking to score and be positive this morning but Atkinson sends down a maiden.
Australia 132-9 (Lyon 4, Doggett 7)
02:41 , Mike JonesThree dot balls start Mark Wood’s third over of the day and his eighth overall.
Doggett looks composed if not exactly comfortable at the crease.
Wood goes full trying to land another yorker but Doggett leans into a drive and collects another one.
There’s been some rain overnight which has slowed up the outfield so batters will need to be prepared to run quite a bit today.
Lyon navigates the rest of the over but is pinned on the thigh pad on the last ball. A rye smile cracks on his face.
Australia 131-9 (Lyon 4, Doggett 6)
02:38 , Mike JonesBrendan Doggett has handled the England bowlers well so far this morning and is chipping away at the deficit.
Australia 131-9 (Lyon 4, Doggett 6)
02:37 , Mike JonesDoggett’s eyes light up at a full delivery from Atkinson in the fourth over of the day and he swings hard at a drive.
A miscue takes it into the vacant mid on region and the batters ease through for a couple.
Doggett then prods one into the offside and calls Lyon through for a single.
Three off the over and each of these runs is crucial for the Australian cause. They trail England by 41 now.
Australia 128-9 (Lyon 4, Doggett 3)
02:33 , Mike JonesIn response to that opportunity, Ben Stokes brings his fielders closer as Wood ramps up his pace.
Doggett loops a defensive stroke into the offside - safely - before an inside edge beats the fielder at leg slip and brings another run.
Two off the over.
Dropped! Australia 127-9 (Lyon 4, Doggett 2)
02:31 , Mike JonesLyon pushes the ball into the offside for a single to bring Doggett back on strike against Wood.
A shorter length ball sees the batter shuffle it towards Ollie Pope at short leg.
Pope, a very good fielder in that position, gets a chunk of the ball with his left hand but can’t grasp it fully and the chance goes down!
Australia 126-9 (Lyon 3, Doggett 2)
02:28 , Mike JonesGus Atkinson has the honour of opening the bowling with Mark Wood on day two.
Straightaway he finds his line and length. Doggett manages to guide one into the fielder at gully and safely watches a couple of deliveries go wide.
A square cut finds the gap at point and Doggett comes back for two and his first runs in Test cricket.
Those are the only runs off the over but Australia will take as many as they can get.
Australia 124-9 (Lyon 3, Doggett 0)
02:24 , Mike JonesWood opens up with a simple good length ball that sails safely wide of the off stump.
He then pulls his length back and gets the ball to rise on Doggett who leans onto the back foot and gets on top of the bounce.
Wood persists with his line of targeting the body, Doggett ducks underneath one before being struck on the pads.
The fifth ball of the over strikes Doggett on the thigh pad and they batters scramble through for a leg bye and the first run of day two.
Last up, Wood flings a yorker down at Nathan Lyon’s toes but the experienced Aussie keeps it out.
Start of play: Australia 123-9 (Lyon 3, Doggett 0)
02:20 , Mike JonesHere we go then.
The players are out on the pitch and Mark Wood has the ball in his hand.
It looks like Ben Stokes has elected to go fast and furious first up this morning.
Day two is about to get going, Brendan Doggett is on strike for his first ball in Test match cricket...
Joe Root injury scare
02:17 , Mike JonesThere is a possible worry for England as Joe Root seemingly tweaked something in his left leg during England’s warm up this morning.
There were a few concerns as he hobbled away but word is that he is fine.
The last thing England need is for their leading runscorer in Tests to pull up lame.
David Warner delivers verdict on Usman Khawaja fitness
02:15 , Jack Rathborn“He just seems a bit stiff,” David Warner said of Usman Khawaja.
“He just doesn’t look like the normal Khawaja walking to the crease there.
“I sense a little bit of discomfort there. I don’t know whether it is his back or what, but that is not the normal approach when he walks out to bat.”
Overnight score
02:10 , Mike JonesWe pick things up after a barnstorming opening day in Perth which saw 19 wickets fall as England were skittled for 172 before restricting Australia to 123-9.
Nathan Lyon and Brendan Doggett will come out this morning and look to cut that deficit as much as they can while Ben Stokes’ side want to bowl out their hosts as soon as possible.
Today will be crucial for England, they’ll be hoping to build a big lead and take complete control of the Test.
However, should they be bowled out cheaply once more then Australia will have the advantage.
Lots to play for.
Absent Australia captain Pat Cummins reacts to the opening day
02:05 , Jack Rathborn“It feels like it was about four days’ worth. It really lived up to the hype, you know day one of the Ashes and 19 wickets — I didn’t see that coming. Really fun to watch, I wish I was out there, but enjoyed it,” Cummins tells ABC.
“I think the pitch is doing enough, I don’t think it warrants 19 wickets in a day, there was good bowling and some of the batters probably wish they had another chance at their shots, but I think it’s a pretty good wicket.”
Of his back issue, Cummins is hopeful: “I’m feeling pretty good! Had a good few weeks of bowling, had two good bowls out here, and I’ll have another bowl in the next couple of days. Pulling up well. That’s the aim, to have another few sessions and have a crack at Brisbane, hopefully.”
Stokes gives England belief, says Cook
01:55 , Jack RathbornFormer England captain Sir Alastair Cook told TNT Sports: "For England to win this series, (Stokes) has to be close to being the man of the series - he's that important.
"He balances the side, he delivers when other people might just be struggling. He is superb. Just for him to get in the series today, to have impact, he'll feel so much better.
"The best thing about today is England know they can hurt Australia's top order, even if they don't win this game - and they're in a hell of a position to do that - in the next four games, they can really hurt Australia."
Australian newspapers savage Ashes hosts after England storm back to inflict ‘116-year low’
01:45 , Jack RathbornAustralia’s newspapers have savaged their Test team after England seized control of the first Ashes Test on day one in Perth.
Ben Stokes’ heroics and a clever piece of thinking inspired a storming comeback after collapsing to 172 all out, with the skipper posting a five-fer to leave the hosts nine down and 49 runs behind heading into day two.
A typically brutal summary from the media down under followed, with Steve Smith stepping in as captain for the injured Pat Cummins and Usman Khawaja’s back spasms sparking controversy after he bizarrely sat out the start of Australia’s reply with the bat.
The West Australian’s front page leads with "Mulligan,” then the summary of a disastrous first day: “Aussie batters - and the Ashes defence - in total disarray after Usman Khawaja was forced off the field suffering from back spasms - as day after playing 18 holes of golf, on the eve of the first Test.”
Australian newspapers savage Ashes hosts after England storm back: ‘Ouch!’
Ricky Ponting and Stuart Broad combine for Ashes coverage
01:30 , Jack Rathborn335 Tests between the two of us. I've got him by one, but what an Ashes warrior. Can't wait to commentate with Broady again, for the Ashes on @7Cricket. It should be a beauty. pic.twitter.com/g0sirHouup
— Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting) November 21, 2025
Chris Woakes underlines warning over Perth pitch
01:20 , Jack RathbornChris Woakes: What’s that saying again? Don’t judge a pitch until both teams have batted on it Think that’s the one!”
Former Australia coach holds hope over Perth wicket
01:05 , Jack Rathborn"I've been excited about today more than any game since I've retired and it lived up to expectations,” former Australia coach Justin Langer tells TNT Sports.
"I believe this is still a very good wicket. Last year (17 wickets on the opening day of a Test) was a lot greener and had a lot more moisture.
"I still think there's a lot more cricket left in this game."
Mitchell Starc on Usman Khawaja back spasms
00:50 , Jack Rathborn"I didn't know about it until the ninth wicket when he still had 10 minutes or so [to make up]," Mitchell Starc said. "We got caught off guard a little bit with the wickets falling pretty quickly in the back end there. It's just unfortunate that was the case. He'll manage that overnight and see how we're at tomorrow."
Ben Stokes produces rapid five-wicket haul in Ashes
00:30 , Jack Rathborn- 19 balls - Stuart Broad v Australia, Nottingham, 2015
- 32 balls - Johnny Briggs v South Africa, Cape Town, 1889
- 32 balls - Bernard Bosanquet v Australia, Sydney, 1904
- 34 balls - Stuart Broad v New Zealand, Lord's, 2013
- 36 balls - Ben Stokes v Australia, Perth, today
Source: CricViz
Will England temper their approach with the bat?
00:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleBrydon Carse suggested that this was the sort of surface that might become a little easier to bat on once the ball softens around 30 overs, as is traditional with the Kookaburra in Australia. We, of course, haven’t seen that yet with neither batting order able to survive sufficiently to cash in but might England consider slightly tempering their attacking approach? They’ve shown that they are more adaptable than some might suggest over the last couple of years, and if this pitch does get better, there might be chances to bat big.
Australia will be frustrated by some of their soft dismissals - Travis Head, particularly, rather flapped Ben Stokes straight to mid-on just as he and Cameron Green had started to look settled.
Michael Vaughan lauds England bowlers after first day of Ashes
Friday 21 November 2025 23:50 , Jack Rathborn“Bowlers win you series, win you World Cups and this England attack, with that kind of pace, on pitches that bounce a bit more, they’re going to trouble Australia throughout the series,” says Michael Vaughan on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.
“You can scar a team very early in a series. When you feel you’ve got the wool over a certain player’s eyes or a certain set of batters’ eyes. There were some good tactics from England with how they bowled to certain players. The way he went really straight to Cameron Green with his field and threw it out wider and got him out straight away. There were certain tactical manoeuvres I saw today that they’ll take forward to the second innings, to Brisbane, and beyond.”
England quicks produce menacing spell to leave Australia in a spin
Friday 21 November 2025 23:30 , Jack Rathborn Glenn McGrath reacts to first day of Perth Ashes Test
Friday 21 November 2025 23:10 , Jack Rathborn“For Australia, a couple of starts but never really looked in. Normally day two it gets a bit quicker. It’ll be interesting to see how Australia bowl,” said the Aussie legend.
“One wicket left - I don’t think there’s going to be too many runs scored. Go out there and try and score quick runs.
“The way Australia bowl in this second innings and then they really have to knuckle down and find a way to score and get the scoreboard ticking over better than they had.”
TNT Sports’ Rob Hatch: Of course I can commentate on the Ashes from afar
Friday 21 November 2025 22:50 , Jack RathbornIt is fair to say that when TNT Sports announced its broadcast plans for the upcoming Ashes series, they weren’t met with universal delight by cricket fans. TNT revealed it will send a team of analysts, including Sir Alastair Cook and Graeme Swann, to Australia, but their lead commentators will be watching on TV screens 10,000 miles away in the UK. What’s more, they will not necessarily be familiar voices: Alastair Eykyn is better known for his coverage of rugby union, while cycling commentator Rob Hatch has voiced many iconic moments of the Tour de France in recent years.
TNT Sports’ voice of cycling Rob Hatch defends Ashes commentary role
Ben Stokes roars as England fight back in Perth
Friday 21 November 2025 22:30 , Jack Rathborn Who is Brydon Carse? England quick takes plaudits on opening day of Ashes
Friday 21 November 2025 22:10 , Jack RathbornBrydon Carse helped spearhead England’s recovery on day one of the first Ashes Test as the bowlers dragged the tourists back in contention.
Durham quick Carse joined forces with Jofra Archer to prove the early dangerman to Australia’s openers, limiting captain Steve Smith to just 17 runs before making short work of Usman Khawaja, with a vicious delivery flicking off the glove for a simple catch.
He also caught three of county teammate Ben Stokes’ five wickets, playing his part in the dismissal of Travis Head, Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc.
Who is Brydon Carse? England quick takes plaudits on opening day of Ashes
Who are the Ashes commentators on TNT Sports?
Friday 21 November 2025 21:50 , Jack RathbornThe Ashes is underway and a new-look commentary team is guiding UK cricket fans through the five-Test series between England and Australia.
Three members of England’s triumphant Ashes squad of 2010/11 – the last English side to win the urn away from home – are helping bring the action to viewers, with Sir Alastair Cook joining Graeme Swann and Steven Finn in front of the microphone.
Two of the three will be on the ground for each of the five Tests, joined by presenter Becky Ives, but the ‘play-by-play’ commentators Alastair Eykyn and Rob Hatch are reporting the action remotely from London. Neither have a significant profile in cricket, with Eykyn best known for his work in rugby, while Hatch has won awards for his coverage of cycling.
Australian newspapers savage Ashes hosts after England storm back to inflict ‘116-year low’
Friday 21 November 2025 21:39 , Jack RathbornAustralia’s newspapers have savaged their Test team after England seized control of the first Ashes Test on day one in Perth.
Ben Stokes’ heroics and a clever piece of thinking inspired a storming comeback after collapsing to 172 all out, with the skipper posting a five-fer to leave the hosts nine down and 49 runs behind heading into day two.
A typically brutal summary from the media down under followed, with Steve Smith stepping in as captain for the injured Pat Cummins and Usman Khawaja’s back spasms sparking controversy after he bizarrely sat out the start of Australia’s reply with the bat.
The West Australian’s front page leads with "Mulligan,” then the summary of a disastrous first day: “Aussie batters - and the Ashes defence - in total disarray after Usman Khawaja was forced off the field suffering from back spasms - as day after playing 18 holes of golf, on the eve of the first Test.”
Australian newspapers savage Ashes hosts after England storm back: ‘Ouch!’
Marnus Labuschagne confronts Brydon Carse as tempers flare in Ashes first Test
Friday 21 November 2025 21:30 , Jack RathbornMarnus Labuschagne confronted Brydon Carse as tempers flared during the first day of the first Ashes Test in Perth.
The Australian batter stepped down the pitch before an aggressive approach to his opponent, sharing some strong words in the direction of the England bowler, who turned to respond.
Ben Stokes’ side were replying to the hosts after a poor first innings, succumbing to Mitchell Starc’s seven-for, leaving them all out for 172.
And after Jofra Archer’s quick-fire response, Carse thought he had another for England, but a review failed to overturn the umpire’s decision, with no evidence that the Aussie batter had edged behind.
Michael Vaughan sees ‘scars’ on Australia batters as England fight back in Ashes
Friday 21 November 2025 21:10 , Jack RathbornMichael Vaughan reckons England’s fast bowling cartel have already opened up “scars” on Australia’s batters following a gripping first day of the Ashes series in Perth.
England were grateful for their five-pronged pace attack after being bulldozed for 172, with captain Ben Stokes leading the way by collecting five for 23 as Australia closed on 123 for nine on a spicy pitch.
Brydon Carse claimed a couple of wickets, as did Jofra Archer, who shared an electric new-ball spell with the luckless Gus Atkinson, while Steve Smith weathered a couple of blows on his elbow and the fiery Mark Wood clattered Cameron Green on the helmet.
Michael Vaughan sees ‘scars’ on Australia batters as England fight back in Ashes
England star reveals Ben Stokes’ message to bowlers that inspired Ashes fightback
Friday 21 November 2025 20:50 , Jack RathbornThe opening day of the Ashes series delivered an astonishing spectacle, with England pace bowler Brydon Carse encapsulating the sentiment of cricket fans worldwide by describing the action as "awesome".
A remarkable 19 wickets tumbled, leaving both sides with moments of dominance and despair in a thrilling start to the contest.
Australia initially revelled in their early success, with Mitchell Starc tearing through England's batting line-up to claim seven wickets.
England star reveals Ben Stokes’ message to bowlers that inspired Ashes fightback
England's Brydon Carse reacts to thrilling first day of Ashes
Friday 21 November 2025 20:30 , Jack Rathborn"Everyone that's come to watch today, their time was worth it, 19 wickets, fantastic, it puts us in a strong position going into tomorrow,” said the England quick.
"He [Stokes] is amazing, his character, resilience, he's everything to this team, a game-changing spell of bowling in that spell.
"Look, there's enough there, the pace and the bounce, just trying to hit the wicket as hard as I could, a couple of balls in there I'm delighted with, it's always nice to get one of the best players in the world [Steve Smith] out."
"The atmosphere was electric, loads of English fans as well, the energy was awesome. Stokesey kept it simple, 45 minutes before tea, he just said, give it everything, the way Gus and Jofra started, after tea, the message was similar. I think the pitch, while the ball was new, a lot of pace and bounce. It was about hitting the pitch as hard as we could.”
Brydon Carse laudes Ben Stokes' impact for England
Friday 21 November 2025 20:18 , Jack Rathborn“His character and enthusiasm, the way he goes about his business, he's a great leader. He's been out here for the last two weeks, as Ducky said, he's in beast mode, hopefully that pays off for him and us in the series,” Carse said of Stokes.
“I was nervous, excited, almost going into the unknown, soaking it all up, it's been a phenomenal day. Stokesy came up with that last night, walking in together, half eight, if half hour later, we'd have got some stick from the Aussie fans. We'll go back to the hotel, have a quiet night, knock over that last wicket tomorrow.
“I haven't played in a lot of attacks with five seamers, we complement each other well, all different attributes, hopefully that stands us in good stead throughout the series."
Khawaja's late arrival branded a 'joke' by ex-Australia cricketer
Friday 21 November 2025 20:05 , Jack RathbornFormer Aussie cricketer Tom Moody has hit out at Usman Khawaja for missing the start of the first innings.
“Poor management… Beyond a joke… like Mitchell Starc led the attack, we needed Uzzie to lead the batting,” Moody said.
The bizarre reason why Usman Khawaja didn’t open the batting for Australia in first Ashes Test
Friday 21 November 2025 19:50 , Jack RathbornUsman Khawaja did not open the batting for Australia in the first Ashes Test in a bizarre error that exposed his teammates to England’s opening bowlers.
England were bowled out for a dismal 172 as Mitchell Starc brilliantly took seven wickets on the first day at the Perth Stadium.
But there was a surprise when Australia’s preferred No 3, Marnus Labuschagne, came out to open with debutant Jake Weatherald instead of Khawaja.
Bizarre reason why Usman Khawaja didn’t open the batting in first Ashes Test
Ashes 2025/26 schedule
Friday 21 November 2025 19:45 , Jack RathbornFirst Test, Optus Stadium in Perth: 21-25 November (UK start time: 2.30am GMT)
Second Test, Gabba in Brisbane: 4-8 December (4.30am)
Third Test, Adelaide Oval in Adelaide: 17-21 December (12am)
Fourth Test, MCG in Melbourne: 26-30 December (11.30pm, 25 December)
Fifth Test, SCG in Sydney: 4-8 January (11.30pm, 3 January)
The clever Ben Stokes move that gives England an Ashes edge to stun Australia
Friday 21 November 2025 19:30 , Cameron Ponsonby, PerthThey said it would happen fast. But no one said it would be that fast just one day into this seismic Ashes series.
A whirlwind day that went at 100mph, with bowlers almost as fast on the speed gun. Mitchell Starc led the way with a spectacular seven-wicket haul, only to then be outmuscled by Jofra Archer and Mark Wood - and then outshone by Ben Stokes. This was a day for heroes, and on one of the most mind-bending days of cricket anyone could wish to witness, England found theirs.
Stokes’ five-fer was his sixth in Test cricket and turned the game from one in the balance to one England are now in control of. Their lead at the end of day one is 49, a scarcely believable turnaround from a couple of hours earlier when they had been bundled out for 172.
The clever Ben Stokes move that gives England an Ashes edge to stun Australia