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The Australian media reacted poorly after Ben Stokes and England stormed back to seize an early Ashes advantage in the first Test in Perth
Jack RathbornFriday 21 November 2025 21:37 GMTComments
CloseBen Stokes masterminds heroic England fightback to inspire perfect Ashes start
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Australia’s newspapers have savaged their Test team after England seized control of the first Ashes Test on day one in Perth.
Ben Stokes’ heroics and a clever piece of thinking inspired a storming comeback after collapsing to 172 all out, with the skipper posting a five-fer to leave the hosts nine down and 49 runs behind heading into day two.
A typically brutal summary from the media down under followed, with Steve Smith stepping in as captain for the injured Pat Cummins and Usman Khawaja’s back spasms sparking controversy after he bizarrely sat out the start of Australia’s reply with the bat.
The West Australian’s front page leads with "Mulligan,” then the summary of a disastrous first day: “Aussie batters - and the Ashes defence - in total disarray after Usman Khawaja was forced off the field suffering from back spasms - as day after playing 18 holes of golf, on the eve of the first Test.”
The same newspaper’s front page of its Sport section is led with “Ouch!” And Cameron Green taking the ball in the grille after a vicious ball from Mark Wood, adding that the Aussies “crumbled with the bat”.
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The Daily Telegraph added “he’s not human” in regards to Ben Stokes and his superb performance, posing the question: “Where to now for ‘shell-shocked’ Aussies?”
While the Herald Sun led with “Starc Reality”, and a picture of the Aussie quick celebrating one of his seven day one wickets before England’s storming response after being bowled out for 172.
The West Australian reacts to day one of the Ashes (The West Australian)Sydney Morning Herald led with “19 wickets, a 116-year low, and one huge problem for Australia,” before pointing out Australia crumbled in “shambolic fashion” and that their batsmen “wasted Starc’s Ashes masterclass”.
The 116 years refers to the last time 18 or more wickets fell on the opening day of an Ashes Test when Australia were skittled out for 147 and England succumbed to their old rivals for just 119 in 1909 at Old Trafford.
The Age’s front page displayed a picture of Mitchell Starc celebrating with the headline “Starcstruck”.
While The Advertiser’s homepage shows the wicket of Alex Carey after a poor shot down to Brydon Carse, adding: “Ultimate brain explosion sums up mind-boggling day of chaos.”
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