England's batting imploded as Mitchell Starc snapped up seven wickets in a dramatic start to the first Ashes Test in Perth.
After choosing to bat first on a green pitch, the tourists were rounded up for 172 in less than 33 overs. In reply, Australia reached 15 for one at tea after Jofra Archer felled Jake Weatherald without score.
It was a woeful start to a series that has been billed as the litmus test of the 'Bazball' era, with Starc acting as executioner with a brilliant, career-best haul of seven for 58.
The rot started with Zak Crawley, who edged the sixth ball of the day to slip for nought, and there was also a duck for Joe Root as he failed to banish his demons Down Under.
But England hit back with the ball, as Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse picked up early wickets to stunt Australia’s reply – after a bizarre mix-up meant Usman Khawaja failed to appear as one of the openers.
Follow the latest score and updates live with The Independent’s live Ashes blog:
Read MoreMarnus Labuschagne confronts Brydon Carse as tempers flare in Ashes first Test
The bizarre reason why Usman Khawaja didn’t open the batting for Australia in first Ashes Test
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Australia v England: Ashes first Test
- England all out for 172 with Mitchell Starc taking seven wickets; Australia 118-7 in response
- England hit back as Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse take flurry of wickets
- Zak Crawley gone for a duck in opening over of series
- England won the toss and elected to bat – Wood picked over Bashir
Australia 118-7 (Carey 26, Lyon 0)
09:37 , Kieran JacksonNow, it’s Nathan Lyon’s turn to enter the lion’s den.
The last time he batted against England in a Test match, it was on one leg at Lord’s amid injury. Can he put up a firmer resistance here?
Archer returns to the attack...
WICKET! Australia 118-7 (Starc 12)
09:34 , Kieran JacksonIt’s that man Stokes again!
Mitchell Starc had been doing so well but he’s out cheaply here - it’s a limp attempt at a leg-side slog and goes straight to Carse at mid-on, not dissimilar to Head’s wicket!
Australia now seven down! Which team will get away with an innings lead here?!
Australia 112-6 (Carey 22, Starc 9)
09:29 , Kieran JacksonAustralia doing well to rotate the strike here, with Starc playing his part as they see off the Stokes-Carse threat for another few overs.
Carey then concludes Carse’s over with a solid drive down the ground for four.
Australia 100-6 (Carey 16, Starc 4)
09:20 , Kieran JacksonStarc survives a poke into the off-side, which just goes over Archer’s head at mid-off, but Carey finishes the over strong - giving himself some room and smashing a wide ball from Carse to the boundary.
Australia get the ton up after 33 overs.
Australia 91-6 (Carey 11, Starc 1)
09:15 , Kieran JacksonStarc gets off the mark straight away before Carey trickles down a poor Stokes ball down the leg side for 4.
Still, another breakthrough from the England captain.
Carse continues...
WICKET! Australia 83-6 (Green 24)
09:10 , Kieran JacksonBen Stokes does it again!
Again, it’s the first ball of the over - Stokes baits Cameron Green to play through the off-side and the Aussie all-rounder can’t resist, nicking behind to Jamie Smith!
Two for Stokes - and Australia are now SIX down!
In comes man of the moment Mitchell Starc...
Australia 83-5 (Carey 4, Green 24)
09:08 , Kieran JacksonFour from the over, with Carse continuing. Perhaps time to shake it up from that end of the Optus Stadium.
Stokes will sprint back in now though...
Australia 79-5 (Carey 1, Green 23)
09:04 , Kieran JacksonAlex Carey gets off the mark straight away with a simple shot down to the fielder at deep square-leg, with Green claiming two more runs.
A crucial breakthrough from the England skipper, though.
WICKET! Australia 76-5 (Head 21)
09:00 , Kieran JacksonBen Stokes strikes!
It’s a cheap dismissal from Travis Head. A standard delivery really, he chips it straight to mid-on for a simple catch for Brydon Carse.
As he so often does, the England captain makes something happen!
Australia 76-4 (Head 21, Green 21)
08:58 , Kieran JacksonJust ticking along nicely here are Australia... a few singles off the bowling of Carse.
Australia 72-4 (Head 20, Green 18)
08:54 , Kieran JacksonSolid over from Stokes, who lets Green drive forward with one overpitched delivery, but that’s the only anomaly.
Australia now trail by 100 runs.
Australia 69-4 (Head 20, Green 15)
08:49 , Kieran JacksonA maiden for Atkinson, who narrowly misses the outside-edge, and continues to bowl excellently.
And now, it is time for Ben Stokes to take the ball.
Australia 69-4 (Head 20, Green 15)
08:45 , Kieran JacksonEight from the over this time, as Cameron Green concludes the over with a perfectly struck front-foot drive down the ground for 4.
Australia are just swinging the momentum ever so slightly here.
Atkinson continues - when will we see captain Stokes in the attack?
Australia 61-4 (Head 20, Green 7)
08:40 , Kieran JacksonTwo, two and four to open up this Atkinson over as Travis Head goes on the counter-attack.
The left-hander does then edge into the slip cordon, but there’s no-one there and goes straight to third man.
Ten off the over. Stokes continues with Wood down the other end...
Australia 53-4 (Head 12, Green 7)
08:35 , Kieran JacksonGreen is given the all-clear and sees off the final two balls quite comfortably.
Into the last hour of play here on day 1...
VIDEO: Khawaja's wicket
08:31 , Kieran Jackson🗨 "A TERROR of a ball!"
— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) November 21, 2025
Khawaja walks as Carse gets his second wicket! ☝
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Australia 53-4 (Head 12, Green 7)
08:30 , Kieran JacksonSolid punch into the off-side from Head, who gets 3, before Wood’s bouncer smashes into Green’s helmet.
The all-rounder does well not to step onto his stumps!
He’ll have a check-up now - and they’ll take drinks at the same time.
Australia 49-4 (Head 9, Green 6)
08:27 , Kieran JacksonAtkinson concludes his over for the loss of just one run and, 23.1 overs into their innings, Australia are yet to reach 50.
Back comes Wood...
DROP! Australia 48-4 (Head 9, Green 6)
08:24 , Kieran JacksonA tough caught-and-bowled chance for Gus Atkinson with Cameron Green playing forward and on the up but, reaching low, the ball just drops out of his grasp!
So close to a fifth England wicket!
Australia 48-4 (Head 9, Green 5)
08:22 , Kieran JacksonA loose opener from Wood, who gives Head a freebie down the leg-side which trickles to the boundary, while Green takes a single off the last delivery to keep the strike.
Australia 42-4 (Head 8, Green 4)
08:17 , Kieran JacksonConsistent from Atkinson, who has conceded just 10 runs off six overs - and probably deserves a wicket.
Back into the attack comes the Mark Wood express...
Australia 41-4 (Head 7, Green 4)
08:15 , Kieran JacksonAnother solid over from Carse - just three from it - who has really impressed alongside Archer so far this morning.
Gus Atkinson will keep the fast-bowling attack going down the other end...
Australia 38-4 (Head 4, Green 4)
08:09 , Kieran JacksonTravis Head is fortunate to get away with a leading edge off new bowler Gus Atkinson, with the ball just too high for Ollie Pope.
A ball later, the same happens - but it falls too short! Head then celebrates with his bat in the air as he guides the ball down to fine-leg.
Cameron Green then drives aggressively down the ground for his first boundary of the day.
Australia 31-4 (Head 1, Green 0)
08:04 , Kieran JacksonCameron Green survives but attention turns to the TV screen.
Replays show that Usman Khawaja’s glove may well have been off the bat when the ball hit and, therefore, it shouldn’t have been out!
It’s not very clear, but surely worth a review?!
WICKET! Australia 31-4 (Khawaja 2)
08:01 , Kieran JacksonAnother stunning delivery from Bryson Carse!
Khawaja is powerless as Carse rips a ball through the pitch, leaping up and nicking the glove of the Aussie left-hander!
Khawaja walks and looks shellshocked! Australia are four down!
Quite the England fightback this...
Australia 31-3 (Head 1, Khawaja 1)
07:59 , Kieran JacksonA maiden for Archer but a less threatening over, overall.
You get the sense that Khawaja and Head have just been told to hang on in there and see off this early England onslaught...
Australia 31-3 (Head 1, Khawaja 1)
07:54 , Kieran JacksonTravis Head takes a quick single from his first ball, but another superb over for England.
Archer will bundle in once again...
WICKET! Australia 30-3 (Smith 17)
07:52 , Kieran JacksonBig wicket!
Brydon Carse has the wicket his bowling deserved, with Steve Smith’s brave resistance over. He nicks to Harry Brook at third slip, who takes a simple catch.
England have Australia’s batting order on the ropes here!
Australia 29-2 (Smith 17, Khawaja 1)
07:49 , Kieran JacksonUsman Khawaja, after playing and missing with his first ball, gets off the mark with a prod to the leg-side.
And Smith survives the last two balls.
Terrific fast-paced bowling from Jofra Archer so far today!
WICKET! Australia 28-2 (Labuschagne 9)
07:45 , Kieran JacksonFinally, England get their rewards for a brilliant opening stint!
Jofra Archer has his second wicket, as Marnus Labuschagne drags onto his stumps off his elbow!
In comes Usman Khawaja at the unusual position of No 4...
Australia 28-1 (Smith 17, Labuschagne 9)
07:43 , Kieran JacksonA bit more aggressive from Steve Smith, who swipes one through the off-side and one through the leg-side off Carse.
Australia 20-1 (Smith 9, Labuschagne 9)
07:39 , Kieran JacksonArcher goes for the short ball, but the Aussies duck well and survive again.
Just building nicely here are the hosts, albeit at a slow rate.
NOT OUT! Australia 19-1 (Smith 8, Labuschagne 9)
07:34 , Kieran JacksonIt was very close... but no clear spike!
A few millimetres on snicko, but it needs to be more pronounced.
Labuschagne survives... and sees out the over.
REVIEW! Australia 19-1
07:31 , Kieran JacksonThis time England do take it upstairs!
Caught behind, we’ll need snicko...
Australia 19-1 (Smith 8, Labuschagne 9)
07:31 , Kieran JacksonBrydon Carse is up appealing after a potential caught-behind but replays show the noise heard was Smith’s pad - not bad. Good decision from Stokes not to review.
Australia 15-1 (Smith 7, Labuschagne 6)
07:27 , Kieran JacksonSmith gets another early knock, this time on his finger, and asks for assistance, but ploughs on and sees out the rest of the over.
Maiden for Archer to start proceedings in the evening session...
Teams heading back out
07:21 , Kieran JacksonThis will be the session which dictates who has the advantage after day 1.
On the face of it, England’s score of 172 all out is below par, especially after winning the toss. But Australia have been under pressure at the crease too, in the face of England’s rapid bowling attack.
Jofra Archer will open to Steve Smith...
The bizarre reason why Usman Khawaja didn’t open the batting for Australia in first Ashes Test
07:12 , Kieran JacksonUsman 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.
Detail below:
Bizarre reason why Usman Khawaja didn’t open the batting in first Ashes Test
TEA! Australia 15-1 (Smith 7, Labuschagne 6)
07:05 , Kieran JacksonA lovely shot played into the off-side from Steve Smith gets three runs and that’ll be that for the afternoon session.
A very busy session - seven wickets to fall in total! Australia skittled England in no time at all before Jofra Archer struck with the ball!
Smith and Labuschagne, crucially, have survived a menacing 10 overs though.
Australia 12-1 (Smith 4, Labuschagne 6)
06:59 , Kieran JacksonWood tops 93 mph again and pays the price, overstepping on the last ball.
Three runs from the over too, as England change their bowling attack again. Brydon Carse comes in....
Australia 9-1 (Smith 3, Labuschagne 5)
06:54 , Kieran JacksonAtkinson concedes his first runs - two singles - but keeps the Australian batsmen under pressure.
Wood will return, steaming in from the other end...
Australia 7-1 (Smith 2, Labuschagne 4)
06:49 , Kieran JacksonA strong opening over from Mark Wood, who gets a few roars from the crowd as he hits 93mph, missing Labuschagne’s outside-edge a few times.
But no breakthrough. Back to Atkinson, who is yet to give up a run in three overs...
Australia 7-1 (Smith 2, Labuschagne 4)
06:47 , Kieran JacksonBig run-out chance missed by Ollie Pope! It needed a direct-hit from square-leg, but Labuschagne was well short!
Smith simply looked very keen to get off-strike...
Australia 6-1 (Smith 1, Labuschagne 4)
06:45 , Kieran JacksonSmith all fine to continue, it seems.
An lbw appeal from Atkinson on the final ball of the over, as Australia scamper through for a single, but it’s too high - England rightly opt not to review.
And a quick change: Archer OUT, Wood IN.
Australia 5-1 (Smith 1, Labuschagne 4)
06:41 , Kieran JacksonSmith is wincing after being hit on the elbow by Atkinson!
It wasn’t a short one, just a ball that missed the bat and nicked the elbow!
The physio is onto the pitch here...
Australia 5-1 (Smith 1, Labuschagne 4)
06:37 , Kieran JacksonFinally, Australia off the mark!
Smith prods to the off-side and sprints through for a single to huge ironic cheers from the Barmy Army!
Only took them 28 balls!
Labuschagne then takes advantage of a fuller delivery, driving crisply down the ground for 4.
Australia 0-1 (Smith 0, Labuschagne 0)
06:33 , Kieran JacksonAnother maiden!
Gus Atkinson can’t quite find the edge, but he’s close up against Marnus Labuschagne!
24 balls and still the Aussies not off the mark...
VIDEO: Jake Weatherald's duck on debut
06:32 , Kieran JacksonARCHER TAKES A WICKET ON HIS SECOND BALL 🔥
— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) November 21, 2025
Just the start England needed 👊
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Australia 0-1 (Smith 0, Labuschagne 0)
06:29 , Kieran JacksonAustralia are still unable to get off the mark, with Smith blocking and leaving well in the wake of Archer’s onslaught.
18 balls, one wicket, no runs.
Australia 0-1 (Smith 0, Labuschagne 0)
06:24 , Kieran JacksonA maiden over from Gus Atkinson, who beats Labuschagne’s outside-edge a few times.
England right in the contest here.
Back to Archer vs Smith.
Australia 0-1 (Smith 0, Labuschagne 0)
06:19 , Kieran JacksonSo close!
Steve Smith is so close to edging behind off a wicked Archer delivery! But he survives for now.
A wicket-maiden from Jofra Archer!
Incidentally, Usman Khawaja was meant to be opening but he spent some time off the field during England's innings, and the regulations say he's not allowed to bat yet.
WICKET! Australia 0-1 (Weatherald 0)
06:16 , Kieran JacksonOh wow - it’s three reds! Hitting middle-and-leg!
The debutant is gone for a duck - a perfect start for England!
Now, Steve Smith arrives to the crease to a chorus of boos...
REVIEW! Australia 0-0 (Weatherald 0)
06:15 , Kieran JacksonIt’s ball No 2 and it’s a big appeal for lbw!
Not out on-field, looks to be going down leg, but England review!
Australia 1st innings incoming
06:15 , Kieran JacksonOK, England - can you respond with the ball?
And straight away, an interesting twist: Usman Khawaja is not out there! It’s Marnus Labuschagne stepping up to open.
Jake Weatherald will be on strike for his first ball in Test match cricket and, on debut, he will face Jofra Archer.
Can Ben Stokes’s side bounce back?
The man of the moment
06:07 , Kieran JacksonCareer-best figures of 7-58 for Mitchell Starc.
Who needs Cummins or Hazlewood?!
As for England, they lost their last five wickets for just 12 runs.
WICKET! England 172 all out (Wood 0)
06:02 , Kieran JacksonAnd that, ladies and gents, is that!
Mitchell Starc has figures of 7-58 in a stunning display of fast bowling.
He dismisses Mark Wood first ball, with the England No 11 swinging haphazardly, the ball spooning into the air and Alex Carey taking a simple catch.
Terrific day for Australia. As for England, it was a very limp opening salvo - and some questionable shots to say the least.
First blood Australia in Perth.
WICKET! England 172-9 (Smith 33)
06:00 , Kieran JacksonJamie Smith was never going to alter his mindset... and he’s come a cropper!
After smashing Starc for four, he then tees off again and finds Cameron Green at deep mid-wicket.
It’s looking fairly dire now for the tourists. Six for Starc and England are nine down!
WICKET! England 168-8 (Carse 6)
05:55 , Kieran JacksonEngland are dropping like flies here.
Carse is fine after the check-up but then falls for Doggett’s tactic - the England batsman swings at a short one and finds Labuschagne in the deep on the leg-side.
In comes Jofra Archer at No 10...
England 168-7 (Smith 29, Carse 6)
05:52 , Kieran JacksonCarse will need a check-up here after he’s hit on the head by a Doggett bouncer.
Excellent ball and though Carse looks fine, he’ll need a quick concussion checkn here...
England 167-7 (Smith 28, Carse 6)
05:49 , Kieran JacksonCarse finds the rope with his first ball, before taking two off the last ball.
Can the England No 9 find a way to support Jamie Smith here? England really need to get to at least 200...
WICKET! England 161-7 (Atkinson 1)
05:44 , Kieran JacksonMitchell Starc has five!
Atkinson goes second ball, edging to second slip straight to Steve Smith, who holds on!
Australia are on a roll - England in deep trouble.
WICKET! England 160-6 (Brook 52)
05:41 , Kieran JacksonHarry Brook is gone - and Brendan Doggett has his first wicket in Test match cricket!
It’s a cheap one. Brook swings at a short one and gloves it behind to Alex Carey. Oddly, Carey was the only one to appeal, but Australia reviewed and then immediately, Brook started walking off!
Snicko confirmed the clear glove. A big blow for England...
England 160-5 (Smith 28, Brook 52)
05:39 , Kieran JacksonSmith is going quickly here. In no time at all, he’s up to 28 runs off just 17 balls.
FIFTY FOR BROOK! England 152-5
05:36 , Kieran JacksonSmith follows Brook’s lead with a lovely front-foot drive down the ground for four before another four to the leg-side.
And then comes Harry Brook’s half-century, pulling downwards to the leg-side for a single. Five fours, one six off 58 balls. It’s been just what England needed...
Smith concludes the over with another four down to fine-leg. 14 from that Starc over!
Tide turning, perhaps?
England 138-5 (Smith 9, Brook 49)
05:30 , Kieran JacksonSmith finds the gap for four, before a smashing shot from Brook somehow doesn’t find the rope, but they run 4!
He blocks the final Boland ball, one short of a half-century.
England 129-5 (Smith 4, Brook 45)
05:26 , Kieran JacksonBrook takes Starc on, first through the off-side and then down the ground with two fours in a row.
Starc shakes things up - first with a short ball and then with a wide yorker. The pair smile at each other...
VIDEO: Stokes bowled by Starc
05:21 , Kieran JacksonBen Stokes clean bowled by Starc ☄️
— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) November 21, 2025
The England captain is OUT for 6.
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England 121-5 (Overs 26)
05:20 , Kieran JacksonNOT OUT!
Indeed, hawkeye shows the ball missing leg stump. Review lost - both teams now have two apiece.
Boland didn’t seem too bothered - it was Smith who pushed it!
Jamie Smith rubs it in by claiming four runs down to third man to finish the over.
REVIEW!
05:18 , Kieran JacksonAustralia review for lbw.
Boland on Smith, given not out. Probably sliding down leg I think...
England 115-5 (Overs 25)
05:14 , Kieran JacksonSmith survives, blocking well.
But another terrific over from the Australian bowler. He’s been the man of the moment so far...
WICKET! England 115-5 (Stokes 6)
05:12 , Kieran JacksonBowled him!
Another beauty from Mitchell Starc - right through the gate as Stokes swings wildly to no avail, with the ball crashing into off-stump!
That’s Starc’s fourth of the day! England in trouble again...
England 113-4 (Overs 24)
05:07 , Kieran JacksonGood statement of intent from Harry Brook in that first over after lunch - eight from it.
He moves up to 36 not out. Starc will race in at the other end...
England 111-4 (Overs 23.2)
05:05 , Kieran JacksonSix from Harry Brook!
After missing the first ball, Brook smashes Boland over the off-side and into the stands!
First six of this Ashes series...
England 105-4 (Overs 23)
05:04 , Kieran JacksonScott Boland will open up for Australia, bowling to Harry Brook who is unbeaten on 28...
Afternoon session - England 105-4
05:01 , Kieran JacksonWe’re close to the second session getting underway here, with the Aussies just limbering up.
It was their morning - can England bounce back?
Australia v England: Player-by-player guide to Ashes squads — and our combined XI
04:59 , Harry Latham-CoyleAn eagerly-anticipated Ashes series is almost upon us as England attempt to win back the urn from Australia.
It is 15 years since England last triumphed Down Under, with the tourists failing to win a single Tests on three trips back to Australia since that 3-1 series success.
The tourists’ improved fortunes under the leadership of captain Ben Stokes has swelled hope, though, of a more competitive series after a thrilling 2023 affair on English soil.
Australia v England: Player-by-player guide to Ashes squads — and our combined XI
England’s two options to seize huge Ashes opportunity against vulnerable Australia
04:50 , Cameron PonsonbyAre you ready to be hurt again? Another four-year cycle, another chance for England fans everywhere to get their hopes up ahead of what will – likely – be another 4-0 away Ashes defeat.
Why should this series be different? Why should England supporters, both avid and casual, bother tuning in when history is so certain that another failure beckons? As a reminder of the stats, England haven’t won a match, let alone a series, in Australia since 2011. Played 15, won zero, drawn two and lost 13 is their record in the last 15 years.
England’s two options to seize huge Ashes opportunity against vulnerable Australia
Ashes 2025/26 schedule
04:41 , Mike JonesPerth is hosting the first Test of the tour but, as usual, it’ll be a long trip for England with the series lasting into the New Year.
Here’s how the schedule for the whole series looks:
Ashes 2025-26 schedule
First Test, Optus Stadium in Perth: 21-25 November (UK start time: 2.20am 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)
LUNCH - England 105-4 (Overs 23)
04:25 , Kieran JacksonIt’s lunch on day one!
England bring up 100 with a crackerjack of a shot from Harry Brook! He steps to his left and smashes Starc up and away through the off-side for four.
Stokes plays his first meaningful shot for two down the ground, before leaving the final ball.
Overall, it’s definitely been Australia’s session. England going at just under five an over but four wickets have fallen, including ducks for Crawley and Root.
Stokes 4; Brook 28
England 98-4 (Overs 22)
04:19 , Kieran JacksonA few singles around the place for Stokes, who gets off the mark, and Brook.
Four from the over. Perhaps one over left before lunch...
England 94-4 (Overs 21)
04:18 , Kieran JacksonA maiden for Starc up against Brook, who does go for one wild shot through the off-side to many groans in the crowd.
Fascinatingly, Green takes a wicket and is out of the attack! Nathan Lyon switches ends and will bowl to Ben Stokes...
England 94-4 (Overs 21)
04:17 , Kieran JacksonA maiden for Starc up against Brook, who does go for one wild shot through the off-side to many groans in the crowd.
Fascinatingly, Green takes a wicket and is out of the attack! Nathan Lyon switches ends and will bowl to Ben Stokes...
England 94-4 (Overs 21)
04:16 , Kieran JacksonA maiden for Starc up against Brook, who does go for one wild shot through the off-side to many groans in the crowd.
Fascinatingly, Green takes a wicket and is out of the attack! Nathan Lyon switches ends and will bowl to Ben Stokes...
England 94-4 (Overs 20)
04:10 , Kieran JacksonStarc is back into the attack.
Australia going in for the kill here just before lunch! Harry Brook will be on strike...
WICKET! England 94-4 (Pope 46)
04:09 , Kieran JacksonOllie Pope departs for 46!
Cameron Green strikes with the final ball of the over! Pope is trapped lbw on his leg-stump.
Given out on-field, Pope reviews and does not get away with it - with umpires call on the leg-stump falling in Australia’s favour!
Bit of a commentator’s curse from me, as the Aussies strike back! In comes Ben Stokes...
England 94-3 (Overs 19.5)
04:06 , Kieran JacksonOllie Pope has, by far, been England’s standout performer and he brings up a 50 partnership with Brook via a lovely shot down the ground for four. He then clips to the leg-side for three.
Now just four off a half-century is Pope. England recovering nicely here...
England 84-3 (Overs 19)
04:03 , Kieran JacksonPope and Brook look comfortable early on against Lyon, with plenty of gaps in the field as they pluck a few 2s and 1s.
Six from the over. And another bowling change: this time it’s Cameron Green.
Pope 38; Brook 19.
England 78-3 (Overs 18)
03:59 , Kieran JacksonDoggett concedes just a single from the over, as the run-rate slows a smidge.
And here comes spin-bowling master Nathan Lyon...
England 77-3 (Overs 17)
03:54 , Kieran JacksonA front-foot no ball from Boland looks to be the early run of the over, until Brook looks for a single which isn’t there!
Labuschagne misses the run-out opportunity and the overthrow means England do get their single.
Steady, Harry...
England 75-3 (Overs 16)
03:48 , Kieran JacksonBoth Pope and Brook looking to play positively here, despite the precarious score, but just a few singles off the bowling of Doggett.
When will Nathan Lyon or Cameron Green enter the fray, I wonder?
Pope 36*; Brook 13*
England 71-3 (Overs 15)
03:43 , Kieran JacksonBeauty of a stroke down the ground from Brook, smashing a half-volley down the ground off Boland.
He’s busy at the crease is the England No 5!
Pope 34*; Brook 12*
England 66-3 (Overs 14)
03:39 , Kieran JacksonPope moves into the 30s with a lovely half-volley through mid-wicket for four runs and then crashes a shot through the off-side for two. It’s a big, slow outfield out there...
Some nice lines from Doggett on debut, but no breakthrough yet.
England 60-3 (Overs 13)
03:35 , Kieran JacksonFour dots before Pope finds the gap down the ground, scampering home for three runs. He moves on to 27...
Brook blocks to finish off the over.
England 56-3 (Overs 12)
03:30 , Kieran JacksonA few singles to start before Brook moves his feet again and hits the ball carefully into the gap at point for four!
Pope 23*; Brook 8*.
Scott Boland will now enter the fray from the other end, with Starc taking a break...
England 50-3 (Overs 11)
03:23 , Kieran JacksonFifty up for England as Pope smartly slaps over the slip cordon for four runs.
Time for a drink...
VIDEO: Root gone for a duck
03:21 , Kieran JacksonJoe Root is gone for a duck 😬
— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) November 21, 2025
What a way for Mitchell Starc to rack up his 100th Ashes wicket 🏏
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England 46-3 (Overs 10.1)
03:20 , Kieran JacksonAggression from Harry Brook straight away against Starc, who moves his feet and slaps a shot through the off-side for three.
Bazball, eh...
England 43-3 (Overs 10)
03:17 , Kieran JacksonPope under pressure, with an ambitious lbw appeal, before clipping a loosener down to fine leg for four.
A fine first over from Doggett.
First 10 overs have very much belonged to Australia!
England 39-3 (Overs 9.1)
03:14 , Kieran JacksonBrendan Doggett replaces Scott Boland for his first over in Test cricket - and his first delivery beats Ollie Pope all ends up!
It cuts in, beating the inside-edge, but no nick.
Some start...
England 39-3 (Overs 9.0)
03:13 , Kieran JacksonBrook blocks well from his first delivery.
England need to halt this Aussie momentum now...
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