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England, leading by 49 runs after day one, require one wicket to bowl Australia out in their first innings of the first Test in Perth
Michael JonesFriday 21 November 2025 20:30 GMTComments
Ben Stokes took a five-for as England roared back against Australia (Getty Images)Ben Stokes inspired a heroic England fightback to put the visitors in a superb position heading into day two of the first Ashes Test in Perth, where the tourists will be chasing the final wicket of the first innings.
The England captain grabbed the ball belatedly in Australia’s first innings after the tourists collapsed to 172 all-out to produce a fabulous five-wicket haul with some clever strategy helping along the way.
As one of five seamers, 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.
Behind the menacing bowling of Stokes, Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson, Australia were left with just Nathan Lyon and debutant Brendan Doggett in the middle to break down the 49-run deficit overnight.
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The Ashes 2025/26: Australia v England, 1st Test, day two
- Day Two resumes 2:30am UK time on Saturday morning, with Australia 123-9
- England lead Australia by 49 runs after Stokes ignites thrilling day one
- Lyon and Doggett remain with England one wicket away from first-innings lead
- 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's Brydon Carse reacts to thrilling first day of Ashes
"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.”
(AP)Jack Rathborn21 November 2025 20:30Brydon Carse laudes Ben Stokes' impact for England
“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."
-celebrates-his-five-wickets-with-teammates-on-day-1.jpeg)
England's Ben Stokes (C) celebrates his five wickets with teammates on day 1 (AFP/Getty)Jack Rathborn21 November 2025 20:18Khawaja's late arrival branded a 'joke' by ex-Australia cricketer
Former 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.
Jack Rathborn21 November 2025 20:05The bizarre reason why Usman Khawaja didn’t open the batting for Australia in first Ashes Test
Usman 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
Marnus Labuschagne joined debutant Jake Weatherald in the middle for the start of Australia’s innings after bowling out England for 172Jack Rathborn21 November 2025 19:50Ashes 2025/26 schedule
First 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)
Jack Rathborn21 November 2025 19:45The clever Ben Stokes move that gives England an Ashes edge to stun Australia
They 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
The 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 oneCameron Ponsonby, Perth21 November 2025 19:30More about
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