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Ben Stokes’ side face Australia in Perth to kick off the Ashes down under, with the visitors winning the toss on Friday
Kieran JacksonFriday 21 November 2025 05:29 GMTComments
Ben Stokes was bowled by Mitchell Starc (Getty Images)
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Zak Crawley and Joe Root both fell for ducks as England were reduced to 105 for four on a dramatic first morning at the first Ashes Test.
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.
The left-armer, shouldering the bulk of the burden after injuries to Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, raced in relentlessly and picked up Ben Duckett lbw for 21 with a full, seaming delivery. That thrust Root into the centre stage, after weeks of attention around his failure to score a Test century on Australian soil. But, after narrowly avoiding a fingertip run out at the non-striker's end, he was only able to give his doubters fresh ammunition as he edged another menacing ball from Starc to third slip.
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- England 105-4 at lunch on day one of first Ashes Test against Australia
- 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
England 129-5 (Smith 4, Brook 45)
Brook takes Starc on, first through the off-side and then down the ground with two fours in a row.
Starc shakes things up - first with a short ball and then with a wide yorker. The pair smile at each other...
Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 05:26VIDEO: Stokes bowled by Starc
Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 05:21England 121-5 (Overs 26)
NOT OUT!
Indeed, hawkeye shows the ball missing leg stump. Review lost - both teams now have two apiece.
Boland didn’t seem too bothered - it was Smith who pushed it!
Jamie Smith rubs it in by claiming four runs down to third man to finish the over.
Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 05:20REVIEW!
Australia review for lbw.
Boland on Smith, given not out. Probably sliding down leg I think...
Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 05:18England 115-5 (Overs 25)
Smith survives, blocking well.
But another terrific over from the Australian bowler. He’s been the man of the moment so far...
Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 05:14WICKET! England 115-5 (Stokes 6)
Bowled him!
Another beauty from Mitchell Starc - right through the gate as Stokes swings wildly to no avail, with the ball crashing into off-stump!
That’s Starc’s fourth of the day! England in trouble again...
(Getty Images)Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 05:12England 113-4 (Overs 24)
Good statement of intent from Harry Brook in that first over after lunch - eight from it.
He moves up to 36 not out. Starc will race in at the other end...
Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 05:07England 111-4 (Overs 23.2)
Six from Harry Brook!
After missing the first ball, Brook smashes Boland over the off-side and into the stands!
First six of this Ashes series...
Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 05:05England 105-4 (Overs 23)
Scott Boland will open up for Australia, bowling to Harry Brook who is unbeaten on 28...
Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 05:04Afternoon session - England 105-4
We’re close to the second session getting underway here, with the Aussies just limbering up.
It was their morning - can England bounce back?
(Getty Images)Kieran Jackson21 November 2025 05:01Newer1 / 10OlderMore about
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