England had a rough start in the initial test of the 2025 Ashes series against Australia. Opting to bat on a pitch seemingly favorable for Bazball after winning the toss, Ben Stokes’ team faced a daunting challenge as the Aussies, led by Mitchell Starc, dismantled England’s batting lineup.
Zak Crawley fell for a duck after just six deliveries, while Joe Root’s quest for a century in Australia was deferred once again as he departed for zero. With England bowled out for 172, Jofra Archer provided a glimmer of hope by dismissing debutant Jake Weatherald early in Australia’s innings.
The opening day in Perth showcased Starc’s dominance, reminiscent of Terry Alderman’s stellar performance in 1981. Starc’s relentless bowling saw key England players, including Root and Stokes, succumb to his skillful deliveries. He finished with impressive figures of 7-58.
Despite some resistance from Ollie Pope and Harry Brook, England’s batting ultimately faltered under the pressure. The team faces an uphill battle in the first test following an exceptional display by the Australian bowlers, notably Starc.
In a fiery atmosphere, Archer made an impact by dismissing Weatherald lbw in the early stages. As tensions rose, Steve Smith faced taunts from English supporters referencing past controversies, adding to the intensity of the match.
The Ashes series, commencing on November 21, promises riveting cricket action between England and Australia. Fans can catch all the live coverage on TNT Sports via discovery+ or Prime Video’s TNT Sports channel.