Captain Ben Stokes inspired a ferocious England fightback as 19 wickets tumbled on a chaotic opening day of the Ashes in Perth.
Stokes took 5-23 as Australia closed day one of the first Test on 123/9, 49 behind England’s first-innings total of 172, as England’s pace-packed seam attack dismantled the hosts’ batting line-up to seize the initiative. Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse had earlier set the tone for England with two wickets apiece, with Archer removing debutant Jake Weatherald with just his second ball and Carse picking up the key wicket of Steve Smith as he extracted significant bounce and zip from a lively Perth surface. Stokes soon took over to wipe out the middle order and tail and leave Australia precariously poised and facing a first-innings deficit.
Australia also had to contend with a mix-up which caused Usman Khawaja to miss the start of their innings, and led Marnus Labuschagne to fill in as opener. Khawaja eventually came in at No 4 and scored only two runs. “Poor management ... beyond a joke,” former Australian player Tom Moody said.
Such a situation looked unlikely when England collapsed to what seemed a modest total earlier in the day having opted to bat after winning the toss. Mitchell Starc took his best Test figures of 7-58 having extracted Zak Crawley in the opening over, with England all out in just 32.5 overs having struggled to sustain partnership despite some resistance from Ollie Pope (46), Harry Brook (52) and Jamie Smith (33).
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Australia v England: Ashes first Test
- Day Two resumes 2:30am UK time on Saturday morning, with Australia 123-9
- England end day one in front as Ben Stokes five-for inspires ferocious fightback
- England all out for 172 with Mitchell Starc taking seven wickets
- Australia bowled the tourists out in little more than 30 overs
Starc bowls Root
19:44 , Lawrence Ostlerehow Joe Root will want to put this right in the second innings:
Joe Root is gone for a duck 😬
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What a way for Mitchell Starc to rack up his 100th Ashes wicket 🏏
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Who is Brydon Carse? England quick takes plaudits on opening day of Ashes
19:16 , Lawrence OstlereCarse took two wickets to help spearhead England’s recovery in Perth:
Who is Brydon Carse? England quick takes plaudits on opening day of Ashes
Michael Vaughan hails thrilling day
18:44 , Lawrence OstlereAfter seeing the most wickets fall in a day in the Ashes since 1909, England's former Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan told the BBC: "I think we all need to lie down. With these contests, there's a massive build up and sometimes it doesn't quite live up to the hype - that was not the case today.
"The (England) bowlers had to get the batters out of trouble. England had an attack today where all five quick bowlers bowled with skill, pace - they were intimidating. Those first overs from Archer and Atkinson was some of the best bowling I've seen from England in a while."
Archer takes wicket with second ball
18:18 , Lawrence OstlereEngland’s bowling attack got off to the perfect start:
ARCHER TAKES A WICKET ON HIS SECOND BALL 🔥
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Just the start England needed 👊
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The bizarre reason Khawaja didn’t open the batting
17:35 , Lawrence OstlereA reminder of that strange situation with Khawaja which saw him come in at No 4 instead of open:
Bizarre reason why Usman Khawaja didn’t open the batting in first Ashes Test
Cummins insists Khawaja is '100% fit' despite mishap
17:22 , Lawrence Ostlere"Usman had some back spasms, he had some treatments but we got on the wrong side of the time which meant he couldn’t open. He’s 100% fit. He looks like he’s moving ok. Everyone knows the rules, maybe we left it a little too long and it hurt us. Back spasms happen reasonably often, he’ll be alright."
Cummins praises 'hot' Starc
16:49 , Lawrence OstlereOn Starc: “I don’t think he needs anyone else at the moment, he’s on a bit of a hot streak. He was hot as soon as he went out, his rhythm looked great, every time he had the ball he created something.”
Cummins: 'I didn't see that coming'
16:16 , Lawrence OstlerePat Cummins, watching on from the sidelines, tells BBC Test Match Special: "Awesome first day. It feels like it was about four days' worth of cricket, it really lived up to the hype, I didn’t see that coming. It was really good to watch, it’s a shame I couldn’t be out there.
“[The wicket] is doing enough, I don’t think it warranted 19 wickets in a day, some of the batters probably wish they had another chance at their shots. The ball got soft so maybe it was a little harder than last year. I had a few bowls last week and then had a few here, hopefully I’ll get a crack at it in Brisbane."
Ben Stokes takes five-fer
15:46 , Lawrence OstlereThe moment Stokes took his fifth wicket of the day:
BEN STOKES HAS HIS FIVE-FER! 🖐️
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The clever Stokes move that gives England an Ashes edge
15:09 , Lawrence OstlereThe England captain delivered a sensational display with the ball to ignite hopes of a famous Ashes victory in the first Test in Perth, but his strategy helped the tourists seize the moment on day one.
Cameron Ponsonby reports:
The clever Ben Stokes move that gives England an Ashes edge to stun Australia
Moody says Khawaja mistake was 'beyond a joke'
14:37 , Lawrence OstlereFormer Australian player Tom Moody has criticised the team’s “poor management” after Usman Khawaja failed to open the batting because he was off the field when England’s innings ended.
“Poor management ... beyond a joke,” said Moody, according to Fox Sports. “Like Starc led the attack, we needed Uzzie to lead the batting.”
Langer hails 'freak' Stokes
14:14 , Lawrence OstlereJustin Langer, who was Australia coach when Stokes hit an unforgettable 135 not out in the 2019 Headingley Ashes Test to seal a famous one-wicket win for England, also hailed the touring skipper.
He told TNT: "He is a freak. If I could have one player in the world, (it would be Stokes).
"I just love how fit and strong he is. For a captain to walk out with that presence and do what he does, he gave me the worst day of my cricket career and I think he's just a brilliant cricketer."
Stokes gives England belief, says Cook
13:46 , Lawrence OstlereFormer 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."
Australia will question batting line-up after collapse, says Vaughan
13:13 , Lawrence OstlereMichael 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.
The 2005 Ashes-winning captain Vaughan was sufficiently impressed to suggest Australia's hierarchy could already be contemplating changes to their batting line-up after they were given a thorough working over.
"You need bowlers to get you out of trouble and England had an attack today where all five quick bowlers bowled with skill, pace and they were intimidating," Vaughan told the BBC's Test Match Special.
"You've seen how this attack had the top order jumping around. When you're a tailender and you're seeing someone who's incredibly talented like Cameron Green hit on the side of the grille... I would not want to face this attack on this pitch.
"There was enough scars I saw from the way the England bowled to the Australian batters. Australia were hanging on, they really were on the ropes. England have opened up a little crack or two.
"If I was an Australian selector watching the way Australia batted against that kind of attack, I'd be going, 'oh dear' and sometimes you have to react quickly."
Brydon Carse speaks after day one
12:41 , Lawrence Ostlere"Stokesy said, 'let's smash the wicket hard' get as much as we can out of it. He kept it very simple," said Carse, who picked up the prized scalp of Steve Smith and spooked Usman Khawaja with a nasty lifter.
"We had 45-50 minutes before tea and he said to the lads with the ball, 'just give everything'. The way Gus and Jofra started was phenomenal. We continued it as a group of five seamers throughout that last session. I thought we were quite relentless.
"It's an unbelievable day of Test cricket, I think everyone that came to watch today was thoroughly entertained."
Brydon Carse speaks after day one
12:22 , Lawrence OstlereBasking in his captain's intervention, Carse said: "Ben Stokes, look, he's amazing.
"You know his character and his resilience is everything that this team strives to be and it's obviously a game changing spell in that session.
"I think Ducky (Ben Duckett) made a comment the other day that he's been in beast mode since he arrived in Australia and he thoroughly deserved that. The way he runs through brick walls for this team is something that everyone looks up to."
Ben Stokes leads ferocious England fightback as wickets tumble in wild start to Ashes
11:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland fought fire with fire as the Ashes began with low scores and high drama on a 19-wicket opening day in Perth.
The tourists chose to bat first on a spicy greentop and were shot down for 172 in less than 33 overs as Mitchell Starc steamed in to take career-best figures of seven for 58.
It was a nightmarish start to one of the most hotly anticipated series in a generation, with ducks for Zak Crawley and linchpin Joe Root as well as collapse of five for 12 to end the innings.
But England’s bowlers were red hot at a ground that is known locally as ‘the Furnace’, dragging Australia down to 123 for nine as captain Ben Stokes bagged five for 23.
Stokes leads ferocious England fightback as wickets tumble in wild start to Ashes
Absent Australia captain Pat Cummins reacts to the opening day
11:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleWe await an Australian actually playing in the Test to provide their input, but ABC in Perth have managed to stumble upon injured skipper Pat Cummins to assess the bruising of a brutal day for his batters.
“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.
“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.”
Usman Khawaja emerges as fitness doubt for Australia
11:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleSome interesting news just before the close of play - Australia have said that Usman Khawaja has been dealing with back stiffness all day and suffered a spasm just before the end of England’s innings, hence his absence from the field that forced Marnus Labuschagne to open alongside Jake Weatherald. Australia had earlier suggested the veteran left-hander had merely been stretching and using the facilities - they have described it as “unfortunate timing” and clarified that he did not have an injury entering the day. Hmm. One to monitor.
Bizarre reason why Usman Khawaja didn’t open the batting in first Ashes Test
For the north...
10:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleYou’d have to say it was a very good day for Durham - Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse amongst the wickets for England, and Brendan Doggett off the mark for Australia having spent part of last summer up at The Riverside as an overseas. Honorary club president Ian Botham will be pleased, you’d think, after the sort of all-action day he once inspired.
Will England temper their approach with the bat?
10:30 , 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.
Ben Stokes gets his first wicket of the Ashes!
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England vindicated in bold calls
10:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleCredit must go to England’s bowlers, who fought back quite brilliantly after a pretty shoddy performance with the bat. Ben Stokes strayed from their preferred strategy by electing to have a bat, perhaps guided by the fact that the side batting first has one every previous Test at this venue, but it looks a decent call after that Australian collapse. The loading up of the side with five seamers seems a pretty good punt, too - Stokes was able to use his strike weapons in short bursts and it’s paid off.
Incidentally, the 36 balls the England captain needed to complete his five-for were the third fewest by an Englishman in Ashes cricket, behind only Bernard Bosanquet in Sydney in 1904 and Stuart Broad at Trent Bridge in 2015. You might remember one of those a little better than the other.
Is the pitch that bad?
10:12 , Harry Latham-CoyleJustin Langer - providing the Australian perspective as part of the TNT Sports team (though notably not heard on commentary today) - suggests that he didn’t see a day like this coming when he had a gander at the pitch this morning. You’d say there has been plenty of zip and bounce in the surface but nothing untoward to suggest a 19-wicket day, but this has been the pattern in Perth of late - 17 wickets fell on the first day of Australia’s Test against India last year before the visitors piled up a huge third-innings total, led by Yashasvi Jaiswal. The opener made a duck in his first dig in that game - good omens for Zak Crawley, perhaps?...
A chaotic day
10:04 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe 19 wickets that fell today were the most on the opening day of an Ashes Test since 1909, when both teams were bowled out at Old Trafford. Chaos.
Here's Brydon Carse...
09:58 , Harry Latham-CoyleSpeaking to the host broadcaster after his first taste of Ashes cricket, Carse says:
"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.
"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."
END OF DAY 1! Australia 123-9 (Lyon 3, Doggett 0)
09:54 , Kieran JacksonNathan Lyon takes a surprise two runs off the final ball and survives the final hurdle!
And that will be that for day 1. What a day it’s been in Perth.
Nineteen wickets in total, two five-wicket hauls and England are now, despite a poor batting display, in the ascendancy.
At the end of it all, Australia trail by 49 runs with just one wicket remaining.
Quite the opening day of the series!
WICKET! Australia 121-9 (Boland 0)
09:48 , Kieran JacksonBen Stokes has a brilliant 5-er!
Boland edges to Brook at third slip, who takes a clean catch just before the ball touches the ground.
It’s Stokes’ sixth five-wicket haul - and comes off just six overs!
Brendan Doggett comes in at No 11 on debut.
WICKET! Australia 121-8 (Carey 26)
09:43 , Kieran JacksonThe Stokes masterplan works again!
He goes short to Alex Carey, who carefully plays the ball over the slips but it’s right down the throat of Brydon Carse at third man!
Four for Stokes - and eight for England! Could we see 20 wickets in one day here?!
Australia 120-7 (Carey 26, Lyon 1)
09:40 , Kieran JacksonLyon - who is well guarded with all the protective equipment in the world - prods for a single and will keep the strike as Stokes looks for his fourth wicket.
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!"
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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 🔥
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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...
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
