England’s start in the first test of the 2025 Ashes series against Australia turned into a nightmare. Ben Stokes’ team chose to bat after winning the toss on a pitch seemingly suited for batting. However, the Aussies, led by Mitchell Starc, dominated England’s batting lineup. Zak Crawley fell for a duck after just six balls, while Joe Root’s quest for a century in Australia continued as he departed for zero.
England found themselves in a tough spot after being bowled out for 172, but Jofra Archer initiated a strong response by dismissing debutant Jake Weatherald early in Australia’s innings. Starc’s exceptional performance stole the limelight on the opening day in Perth, overshadowing the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood from Australia’s bowling attack due to injury.
Starc’s impactful bowling saw him claim key wickets, including that of Ben Duckett and Joe Root, setting a high standard with his 7-58 figures. The pressure now rests on England’s star players to salvage the first test after a challenging start.
Despite some resistance from England’s batting lineup, highlighted by Ollie Pope’s 46 and Harry Brook’s aggressive play, their tail-end collapse exposed vulnerabilities. The focus now shifts to whether Joe Root can overcome his struggles and deliver a match-defining innings.
As the Ashes rivalry intensifies, Archer’s early breakthrough and the spirited chants from English supporters aimed at Steve Smith added drama to the contest. Fans can catch all the Ashes action live on TNT Sports, broadcast via discovery+ or Prime Video’s TNT Sports channel.