The Ashes Recap: Australia claim 1-0 lead after remarkable turnaround in Perth
Cricket: The first day of The Ashes at Optus Stadium somehow managed to live up to all the hype, with 19 wickets falling in a frantic opening to the series.
Australia looked well on top after bowling England out inside 33 overs for just 172 on the back of Mitchell Starc’s career-best seven-wicket haul.
But the visitors hit back in fine style, exploiting fast and bouncy conditions to reduce the home side to 9-123 in response as captain Ben Stokes led the way with five wickets of his own.
After a bundle of wickets fell on Day 1, what will the weekend bring?
Stay across the latest Ashes action as Australia and England resume their battle at Optus Stadium.
Key events
22 Nov 2025 - 06:13 PM
ANALYSIS
22 Nov 2025 - 05:42 PM
THAT’S IT!
22 Nov 2025 - 05:22 PM
JL’s high praise for Head
22 Nov 2025 - 05:06 PM
Head hits remarkable hundred
22 Nov 2025 - 04:42 PM
Travball takes down Stokes
22 Nov 2025 - 04:19 PM
Head’s half-century
22 Nov 2025 - 04:13 PM
England strike!
22 Nov 2025 - 03:15 PM
Trav up to the top!
22 Nov 2025 - 02:58 PM
England’s second innings over!
22 Nov 2025 - 02:52 PM
Jofra’s short and sweet stay
22 Nov 2025 - 02:47 PM
A breakthrough at last
22 Nov 2025 - 02:17 PM
Smith goes after lengthy review!
22 Nov 2025 - 01:54 PM
Starc gets Stokes again!
22 Nov 2025 - 01:27 PM
Root gone, Australia on fire!
22 Nov 2025 - 01:23 PM
Another one for Boland!
22 Nov 2025 - 01:20 PM
Scotty on a roll!
22 Nov 2025 - 01:08 PM
Boland breaks through!
22 Nov 2025 - 01:00 PM
We’re back
22 Nov 2025 - 12:21 PM
Duckett bruised but unbeaten as lunch called
22 Nov 2025 - 11:32 AM
Where’s the GOAT?
22 Nov 2025 - 11:05 AM
Perfect start for Australia!
22 Nov 2025 - 10:50 AM
Australia’s innings over!
22 Nov 2025 - 10:16 AM
Disaster averted for England
Smith goes after lengthy review!
And the short ball plan has worked.
For the second time in the game, Brendan Doggett has strangled a batter with a bouncer - but it came after a review which ran for nearly five minutes.
There was a spike on real-time snicko but third umpire Sharfuddoula seemed unconvinced until eventually sending Jamie Smith on his way for 15.
Smith had began to walk off Optus Stadium after seeing the spike but stopped in his tracks as the moment was repeatedly replayed.
ENG 7-104
A clear plan
Australia look to be eager to test both of England’s new batters with the short ball, having deep square leg in position for both Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson.
England’s No.8 Atkinson is capable with the bat, having a Test hundred against Sri Lanka to his credit.
ENG 6-104
That’s drinks
And breathe.
The players are now having a drink at Optus Stadium after a chaotic first hour of day two’s second session which saw England lose five wickets.
Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith (11 not out) and No.8 Gus Atkinson (two not out) are looking to grow the tourists’ lead beyond 135 runs.
ENG 6-95
Starc gets Stokes again!
It’s all going wrong for England as their captain departs at Optus Stadium.
Swung around to the members’ end of the ground, Mitchell Starc has continued his dominant recent record against Ben Stokes.
Starc’s outswinger against his left-handed counterpart caught the edge and Steve Smith again made no mistake at second slip.
That wicket gave Starc his second 10-wicket haul on Australian shores and third of his illustrious career.
ENG 6-88
JL has his say
Perth’s favourite son Justin Langer is not impressed by what he has seen from England amid their spectacular batting collapse at Optus Stadium.
“It’s just really poor batting,” he said on Channel 7’s coverage.
“If you do your preparation to come to Perth, one, you’ve got to take some time to get in, usually 25-30 balls to get in. Be patient, watch the ball.
“Second thing is, driving on the up here in Perth. This has been going on for decades, not just for this Test series.”
ENG 5-83
Stokes stands in the way
Amid the carnage, a man who has a penchant for getting England out of trouble has walked to the middle at Optus Stadium.
Australia will be desperate to not let Ben Stokes get away with the tail, as the all-rounder did in famous performances at Headingley in 2019 and Lord’s in 2023.
Stokes does have one of the lower batting strike rates in the Bazball era and is more happy than some of his teammates to play how the situation demands.
ENG 5-83
Chance goes down!
Usman Khawaja has shelled a chance at first slip!
Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith’s healthy edge off Mitchell Starc comfortably carried to Khawaja but he was not able to cling on to a low catch.
Khawaja spent much of the first day off the field as he battled stiffness and a back spasm.
ENG 5-77
Root gone, Australia on fire!
Mitchell Starc has got in on the act, inducing a chop-on from Joe Root to send England’s star batter packing for eight.
Smith pulled Cam Green from the attack to re-introduce his trump card and he wasted no time in having an impact, with yet another England batter paying for an expansive drive with their wicket.
England have now lost 4-16 since the resumption after the lunch break.
ENG 5-76
Another one for Boland!
Scott Boland has turned this game on its head, sending England star Harry Brook packing for a third-ball duck.
The aggressive Brook tried to drive a delivery which was neither full nor wide enough through the covers and paid the ultimate price, handing Cam Green his first catch for the series in the gully.
Perhaps Boland may hold some fears for England’s batters after all? He now has figures of 3-22 from eight overs in the second innings after giving away 62 in 10 wicketless overs on day one.
ENG 4-76
Scotty on a roll!
Scott Boland is in one of those moods again.
The ever-consistent seamer has now accounted for both of England’s set batters, suckering in Ollie Pope with a wide delivery he could not help but attempt to drive.
His edge was gratefully accepted by wicketkeeper Alex Carey to send him back to the dressing room for 33.
Harry Brook - England’s top-scorer in the first innings with 52 - has now joined Joe Root (eight) at the crease in what will be a critical period.
ENG 3-76
