Cricket

A look at the key issues and decisions ahead of the eagerly-anticipated Ashes series between Australia and England, starting in Perth.

India admitted the minefield was ‘exactly what we wanted’. Rivals said they ‘deserved to lose’.

Australian skipper Pat Cummins has touched down early in Perth ahead of the first Ashes Test.

The world’s best Test batter is under immense pressure to perform, but there is one thing he will never fess up to about playing Australia.

Former Australia star Jason Gillespie believes Brendan Doggett, who he coached at South Australia, can make an instant impact on debut in the Ashes.

The legendary English fast bowler details how England can end their 15-year Ashes horror show Down Under and why he still thinks this is Australia’s worst team since 2010-11.

What used to be Australia’s biggest strength, the quality and experience of the fast-bowling group, can quickly turn into a weakness when two senior players fall over because of the void created behind them.

Australia have copped another massive blow, less than a week out from the first Test match, with Josh Hazlewood officially ruled out.

England spearhead Mark Wood will not take any further part in their Lilac Hill warm-up match, but the team are confident he will be fit for the first Test.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashed a breathtaking 144 off 42 balls in a record-shattering innings.

An Ollie Pope century has rescued a mediocre first outing for Bazball in Australia, with England’s kamikaze attacking style leaving two of their biggest stars red-faced.

After being hit for more than 100 runs on day one while bowling, pivotal England batter Joe Root’s quest for an elusive maiden century Down Under has hit a snag.

England have done little to dispel concerns that they are not doing enough to prepare ahead of the first Ashes Test after footage from their practice match went viral for all the wrong reasons.

The English star quick remains in doubt for the first Ashes Test but the results of his scan will now be delayed only a week out from the series opener.

The ‘mentally’ weak English would need to overcome two fatal flaws to win the upcoming Ashes.