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England dismissed for just 172 in their first innings after winning the toss and electing to bat first in Perth
Kieran JacksonFriday 21 November 2025 07:13 GMTComments
Jofra Archer strikes early for England (Getty Images)
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England were bowled out for 172 after lunch on the opening day of the first Ashes test against Australia in Perth on Friday.
Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc took seven wickets for 58, while Harry Brook top-scored for England with 52. One of the most eagerly awaited series in recent memory began with a bang at Perth Stadium as Australia paceman Mitchell Starc snapped up three wickets in his opening spell to snatch the early momentum.
England skipper Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bat first on a green pitch only for Crawley to nick a wayward drive off the sixth ball of the day. It was another memorable success for Starc, who kicked off the previous series Down Under by bowling Rory Burns with the opening delivery.
After England recovered following the early loss of Ben Duckett and Joe Root, Brook fell for 52 and the tourists lost their last five wickets for just 12 runs amid a disastrous late collapse.
Follow the latest score and updates live with The Independent’s live Ashes blog:
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- England all out for 172 with Mitchell Starc taking seven wickets; Australia 15-1 in response
- 50 and out! Brook reaches half-century before gloving behind (England 160-6)
- WICKET! Stokes bowled for 6 as Starc strikes again (England 115-5)
- WICKET Root nicks to slip without scoring (England 39-3)
- WICKET! Duckett falls for 21 off Starc (England 33-2)
- WICKET! Crawley gone for a duck in opening over (England 0-1)
- England WON the toss and elected to BAT - Wood picked over Bashir
VIDEO: Unideal end to FP2 for Leclerc
Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 07:13The 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.
Detail below:
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 172Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 07:12TEA! Australia 15-1 (Smith 4, Labuschagne 6)
A 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.
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 07:05Australia 12-1 (Smith 4, Labuschagne 6)
Wood 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....
Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 06:59Australia 9-1 (Smith 3, Labuschagne 5)
Atkinson concedes his first runs - two singles - but keeps the Australian batsmen under pressure.
Wood will return, steaming in from the other end...
Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 06:54Australia 7-1 (Smith 2, Labuschagne 4)
A 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...
Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 06:49Australia 7-1 (Smith 2, Labuschagne 4)
Big 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...
Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 06:47Australia 6-1 (Smith 1, Labuschagne 4)
Smith 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.
Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 06:45Australia 5-1 (Smith 1, Labuschagne 4)
Smith 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...
Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 06:41Australia 5-1 (Smith 1, Labuschagne 4)
Finally, 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.
Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 06:37Newer1 / 13OlderMore about
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