Stokes leads England surge on 19 wicket day in Perth

• What time do The Ashes start in my state?
• Listen Live: Every ball of the Ashes right here
• Mitchell Starc gets Australia off to a great start with 7/58 on Day 1
• England bowled out for 172 within two sessions
• Australia flail to 9/123 with Ben Stokes taking five wickets in 47 minutes

The time for talk is over. The 2025-26 Ashes are here, it's Day 1 of the opening Test in Perth.

England won the toss and elected to bat.

We will be live throughout the first Test, follow along for all the latest.

END OF DAY 1

8:50pm - Stokes leads England surge on 19 wicket day in Perth

Australia 9/123 - Lyon 1, Doggett 0

At different stages today it felt as though England's Bazball style was leading them to yet another bleak summer in Australia, but it didn't take long for the Aussies to divert the attention onto themselves.

The speed of today's play felt more akin to One-Day cricket to start as England pounded away despite the consistent loss of wicket, mainly to Mitch Starc (7/58) who was outstanding with career-best figures.

It was then up to the home side to prove this wicket had runs in it, a test they failed dismally.

Usman Khawaja ineligible to open the batting, Jake Weatherald falling for a duck on debut, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith battered and bruised while a lack of game smarts cost the middle order and tail end with some more than questionable wickets.

In just 71.5 overs of play we saw 19 wickets tumble on a deck that appeared a bat-first pitch.

Whether it be a sign of the way Test cricket is trending or some hidden gremlins in a wicket that seemed to play fair all day, it's fair to say today will be remembered as one of the more shambolic first days of an Ashes series.

Australia trail England by 49 runs with one wicket in hand heading into Day 2.

8:45pm - Five wickets for Stokes affirms upper hand for England

Australia 9/121 - Nathan Lyon on 1, Brendan Doggett to the crease.

It's five wickets for Ben Stokes who got his first of those (Travis Head) just 47 minutes ago - quite remarkable.

Australia really brings out the best of this New Zealand-born superstar and it's not surprise he has led the surge that has brought about eight wickets in one session.

8:42pm - Stokes strikes again as Starc hands over his wicket

Australia 8/121 - Nathan Lyon on 1, Scott Boland to the crease.

The misery continues for the Aussies as the last of the recognised batsmen, Alex Carey, is removed for 26.

Yet again, it was one of the weaker wickets of the day; guided straight to third man off a shorter pitched delivery from, you guessed it, Ben Stokes.

He now has four.

8:33pm - Stokes strikes again as Starc hands over his wicket

Australia 7/118 - Alex Carey on 25, Nathan Lyon to the crease.

Oh boy. Two dismissals guided straight to mid-wicket makes for some tough viewing.

Mitch Starc had just 17 minutes to survive the day and instead holes out for another catch to Brydon Carse.

“That’s just lazy… I don’t know what the coach is going to say to him there but that is soft… that’s just ridiculous.” Simon Katich said on SEN.

Nathan Lyon will need to emulate one of his nightwatchman-esque innings here to get through the evening.

8:09pm - Wickets continue to fall as Stokes gives England the edge they needed

Australia 6/83 - Alex Carey on 4, Mitch Starc to the crease.

The man who looked more comfortable than any other Aussie has fallen to a loose drive, Ben Stokes the man to claim the wicket again.

Mitch Starc comes to the crease just three hours and 11 minutes after walking off the hero of the day. This is less than ideal for a man who deserved the rest of the day off.

When things looked more settled for the Aussies, Stokes has restored balance to this topsy-turvy day.

That's 16 wickets in total so far today.

7:58pm - Travis Head dismissed with incredibly soft flick to mid-wicket

Australia 5/76 - Cam Green on 21, Alex Carey to the crease.

Well just when it seemed as though two batsmen had finally settled at this Perth Stadium crease, Head paddles one straight to Brydon Carse at mid-wicket.

Unsurprisingly, Ben Stokes proved the partnership breaker but Head knows he should've done better with that one.

Very interesting last 50 minutes here.

7:55pm - England's lead falls below 100

Australia 4/73 - Travis Head on 20, Cam Green on 19.

A much-needed partnership between Head and Green has guided Australia to trail the English by under 100 runs.

Despite the collapse after tea, the damage has been stemmed and the Aussies know they are still a great chance to go into the second innings with a lead on the board.

Play will likely be extended until 5:50pm AWST, 8:50pm AEDT.

6:59pm - England officially on top as Khawaja knicks off

Australia 4/31 - Travis Head on 1, Cam Green to the crease.

Usman Khawaja joins Labuschagne and Smith as the three wickets since tea.

It leaves the Aussies reeling on a pitch that seems to have a lot more life in it than initially thought.

"They're not just in it, they're on top at the moment," Simon Katich said.

English bowling legend Stuart Broad praised Brydon Carse's delivery and gave Khawaja the benefit of the doubt.

"That is a rip-snorter... not much Usman could do with that delivery." Broad said.

6:50pm - England turn the screws as Smith is removed

Australia 3/30 - Khawaja on 2, Travis Head to the crease.

Just when it seemed as though Australia was re-gaining ascension in the match, they lose Smith and Labuschagne within seven minutes.

A familiar back of a length delivery that left Smith in no man's land with his feet, feathered straight to Harry Brook who holds on without issue.

Brydon Carse gets his first wicket of the series as Smith goes off to lick his wounded elbow and hand.

Not many have looked settled out there, save for Harry Brook.

6:43pm - Marnus falls to Archer with elbow chop on

Australia 2/28 - Smith 17, Khawaja to the crease.

Back of a length and yet again an Aussie gets hit on the elbow, this time it cannons back into Labuschagne's stumps and he is on his way for 9 off 41 deliveries.

"You're not there to bat with your elbow. It's happened too much for my liking," Simon Katich said on SEN.

Seems to be a technical flaw to the top order here that the English will almost certainly target for the remainder of the series. '

Usman Khawaja strolls to the crease meaning the rest of the batting order returns to normality.

Just the second time Khawaja has batted four for his nation, the previous attempt was a duck.

6:26pm - Smith being peppered by familiar foe

Australia 1/15 - Smith 7, Labuschagne 6

Steve Smith and Jofra Archer have done battle before.

Archer's first two balls post-tea hit Smith on the arm (close to the previously hit elbow), then the right hand with Smith needing medical attention yet again.

There's no love lost between these two but one thing remains the same, Smith survives.

TEA

6:00pm - England remove debutant as veterans hold firm

Australia 1/12 - Smith 4, Labuschagne 6

It wasn't an ideal start for the locals as Usman Khawaja was unable to open the batting due to not being on-field long enough.

As a result, Weatherald faced Jofra Archer and fell on just the second ball.

From there, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne - after some interesting early shots - did what they had to and held down the fort through some challenging and rapid bowling.

5:50pm - Mark Wood into the attack after Smith struck on elbow

Australia 1/8, Labuschagne 4, Smith 3.

It's consolidation time for the Aussies here as Smith and Labuschagne try to get through to tea.

Smith was hit by Gus Atkinson with a glancing blow to his right elbow, but he has remained at the crease after some medical attention.

England are throwing 145+ km/h deliveries from both ends with Wood and Archer relentlessly testing these two experienced batsmen.

Very different approaches to the Australian innings compared to the earlier English one, we'll see if traditional defensive cricket can turn the tide back in the favour of the home side.

5:15pm - Weatherald goes without score

Australia 1/0, Labuschagne and Smith both on zero.

Jake Weatherald's debut innings ends in the worst possible way.

The might of Jofra Archer matches Starc's first-over heroics with a searing yorker sending Weatherald on his way.

Initially given not out, it seemed to be pitching and missing leg. However, a late review saw three reds and that was all she wrote.

5:11pm - Change at the top for Australia!

Australia 0/0

Jake Weatherald is out in the middle, and he's joined by... Marnus Labuschagne.

While Labuschagne was set to bat at No. 3, he's been made to open after Usman Khawaja was off the field for too long during England's first innings.

A truly bizarre start to the Aussies' innings, but they'll have to do with a makeshift duo at the top.

Jofra Archer sends the first ball past Weatherald's edge.

4:59pm - Six and seven for Starc! England are all out

England ALL OUT 172 - Starc 7/58

Starc removes Jamie Smith for 33! The wicketkeeper holes out in the deep after slogging with the tail... and one ball later he has Mark Wood for a golden duck with the tailender skying one to Alex Carey.

It's the first time Starc has taken seven wickets, with the left-armer finishing with 7/58 from 12.5 overs.

Adam Collins couldn't believe his eyes as England lost six wickets within an hour after Lunch to be bowled out for 172.

"He was on top of the game, 33 from 21! Starc has got six and England are nine. Boy oh boy, this game is moving quickly." - Adam Collins

"Dear oh dear, this has been quite the capitulation for England. The most anticipated Ashes in years and they're bowled out within 33 overs.

"Six wickets in an hour after Lunch. This has been a dismal display from the visitors."

4:53 - Another for Doggett!

England 8-168 - Smith 29, Archer to the crease

England are crumbling here, with Brydon Carse pulling Brendan Doggett to deep backward square leg.

Luckily for the Aussies, they were set up for the short ball, with Marnus Labuschagne taking a clean catch in the deep.

Jofra Archer heads to the crease for the first time in an Australian Ashes Test.

Jamie Smith could really go on the attack now, with Australia looking destined to bat even this session!

4:43pm - Starc has FIVE!

7/161 - Smith 28, Carse to the crease

Mitchell Starc strikes again, with the left-armer removing Gus Atkinson for 1.

The No. 8 poked his bat at a wide one outside, with Steve Smith doing the rest in slips.

"This has been a tremendous performance by the attack leader!" - Adam Collins

"This is one of the finest performances of his long Test career. He's got 5/48 here over three seperate spells.

"They're in real strife, the BazBallers."

4:39pm - The big wicket!

England 6/160 - Smith 28, Atkinson to the crease

Brendan Doggett has his first wicket, and it's Harry Brook who's out gloving it down the leg side!

The umpire didn't initially give it out, with Doggett barely appealing after releasing the short delivery.

Luckily Alex Carey and Steve Smith loved it behind the wicket, with Brook immediately walking once it was reviewed by the Aussie skipper.

"The acting captain got it bang on!" - Adam Collins.

Could Australia be batting by Tea? This game is moving quick!

4:33pm - Brook passes fifty

England 5/152 - Brook 50, Smith 22

The England No. 5 reaches his 50 from 58 balls.

He's taking on the bowlers with five fours and one six.

With Jamie Smith also taking on the bowlers, England could arrest back the momentum very soon if these two can bat together for even one hour.

4:30pm - Pat Cummins provides injury update

“I’m probably on track, if not probably better than I would have thought a month or so ago," Cummins told Channel Seven.

READ: “Surprised myself”: Cummins provides injury update

4:11 - Starc. Again!

England 5/115 - Brook 36, Smith to the crease

Mitch Starc you ripper. The left-armer is carrying his side here and this one was the best of the lot, bowling England skipper Ben Stokes for 6.

The ball swung in late and also did the left-hander for pace, and didn't Damien Fleming love it in the commentary box.

"He's done it again, absolutely brilliant here from Mitch Starc. He looked very good on defence... but this seamed in and went between bat and pad and knocked him over, stumps flying," Fleming said on SEN Cricket.

"In career-best form, and it's much needed because the Australian attack is without some stars.

"That's a beauty!"

"This is one of the most significant days of Starc's career." adds Gerard Whateley.

Starc is only one wicket away from his 17th Test five wicket haul.

4:07 - A sign of intent

England 4/113 - Brook 36, Stokes 4

Harry Brook is on the attack, taking down Scott Boland for a six on the second ball of the third session.

The England No. 5 charged down the wicket before dispatching the ball.

SEN Cricket's Gerard Whateley described Brook as England's batter that looks "best suited to Australian conditions".

The Aussies will be keen to see the back of him before he gets away.

LUNCH

3:22pm - England four down at the first break

England 4/105 - Brook 28, Stokes 4

A fast first session in Perth with Australia taking four wickets while England scored freely.

Mitchell Starc was the destroyer with the new ball, taking three early wickets in a fiery spell.

Ollie Pope helped England back to a solid position but was removed before the break by Cameron Green.

Another wicket or two early in the third session will put Australia in a strong position, while England are a partnership away from evening things back up.

3:07pm - The all-rounder gets the big wicket

England 4/94 - Brook 21, Stokes to the crease

Ollie Pope is gone, with Cam Green trapping the No. 3 in front for 46!

An almost yorker length delivery had Pope falling over, with the ball crashing into the bottom part of his pad.

While it was sent upstairs for review, Pope didn't look confident and that proved to be the right concern with the ball clipping half of leg stump.

A big wicket with Pope looking as good as he ever has down under.

3:00pm - England’s plan to Boland is “working”

England 3/78 - Pope 36, Brook 15

Before this Ashes series, England had plans to take down Scott Boland, and that’s played out here on Day 1 so far.

The Victorian went wicketless from his first two spells, finishing with 0/39 from his first seven overs.

Opener Ben Duckett came at Boland early, with his length from then on often too full to both Harry Brook and Ollie Pope.

Damien Fleming and Stuart Broad discussed Boland’s start on SEN Cricket.

Fleming: “The story for the Australians is Boland hasn't been able to set in that line. I think, England's game plan against him is working.

“Even Duckett, when he advanced down, he wasn't trying to smash it for four, but you know that really messes with your length.

“Brook's intent is enough. He's after them, isn't he?

Broad: “It's actually interesting with Boland. I wonder with those little steps that Duckett took early, whether that puts him off on his delivery stride and he sort of panics in that moment and goes fuller?

“Normally when someone walks at you, you drop a bit shorter, you've got more chance of it being a dot ball cos someone's advancing at you generally to hit you down the ground.

“It’s definitely a game plan from England to try and hurt Scott Boland, we know how brilliant he is at hitting length and hitting an area, and if you let him do that, he'll do it all day and he'll cause you pain.

“They're trying to put him off.”

2:35pm - England consolidating

England 3/59 - Pope 26, Brook 8

Harry Brook has arrived with plenty of flair at the crease, showing off his attacking style with two boundaries from his first six balls.

Brendan Doggett is also into the attack, with the debutant hitting good lengths and finding some seam movement back into the right hander.

Ollie Pope is right on top of anything slightly overpitched with Boland also in the attack.

This game could be settling a bit after a rapid opening hour of play.

2:10pm - Starc again! Root gone for none

England 3/39 - Pope 18 not out, Brook to the crease

Mitchell Starc is putting Australia on his back!

The left-armer gets Joe Root for a duck, with Labuschagne catching in slips.

The English No.4 was squared up by a full ball, with a thick edge carrying into the Queenslander's hands.

"He's been opened up like a can by Mitchell Starc. No Cummins, No Hazlewood - so what!?" Bharat Sundaresan said on SEN Cricket.

Starc has 3/10 from his five overs. It's also his 100th wicket against England!

1:57 - Starc gets another!

England 2/33 - Pope 12 not out, Root to the crease

Starc goes bang! Trapping Ben Duckett in front LBW for 21 from 20 balls.

The left-hander played around a full ball that held its line, with the ball straightening after initially angling down leg.

Duckett sent the decision upstairs for review, but three red lights and he's gone!

1:42pm - Duckett starting to motor as record crowd hits Perth

England 1/15 - Duckett 13, Pope 3

The English said they weren't afraid of Scott Boland and Ben Duckett has the scoreboard ticking along, taking 10 runs from Boland's second over.

The Victorian's lengths haven't been great early, he'll hope to find his groove sooner rather than later.

43,591 are also inside Optus Stadium, smashing the previous record for a day of Test cricket at the venue which was 32,368 for Day 1 of the 2024 Test against India.

1:25pm - Starc strikes!

England 1/0 - Duckett 0 not out

Crawley throws his hands at a wide one and nicks the last ball of Starc's first over to Usman Khawaja in first slip despite a little juggle!

The opener is gone for a duck and England are 1/0!

"The pitch map they showed in that first over was classic in the corridor to Crawley," Damien Fleming said on SEN Cricket.

"He knew he would get impatient at some point. His footwork was minimal, so you can’t be doing that, you’re in no man’s land. Play the patience game until the ball softens."

1:20pm - Play is underway

England 0/0

Not quite as exciting as four years ago... Mitchell Starc sends down the first ball of the series, with Zak Crawley defending to point.

It's a beautiful day in Perth and the Aussies will hope to strike early in a big way after Ben Stokes chose to bat first.

We'll take you through the big moments of the day's play and all of the highlights from the SEN Cricket call.

1:05pm - Broad can't remember an Ashes build-up quite like this

SEN Cricket's Stuart Broad is extremely excited for play to begin.

The former England star is certain the visitors have a chance here to win their first Test down under since 2011.

"I’m excited for the summer of cricket this is one of the most anticipated for some time. Coming from England, I cant remember a build up like this, fans are so looking forward to it and the feel is we have a chance," Broad said on SEN Cricket.

"It's an intriguing day ahead with two debutants (Weatherald and Doggett). There will be nerves. Theres nothing quite like the emotion of Day 1 of an Ashes.

"The day before you’re thinking about process, what the first ball looks like and its important not to go quiet in the morning of. Don’t go insular, that when you can go unstuck.

"You’ve done all your prep, you have to stay in a good place. Technique is what saves you when the nerves kick in.

"I went to the pitch and my stomach had butterflies. When you finish playing the game there are always moments you fancy being back."

1:00pm - Doggett speaks ahead of Test debut

12:50pm - England win the toss as final XIs locked in

England have won the toss and will bat first in Perth!

From the five Tests so far at the venue, no team has won while bowling first. The Aussies will hope that changes here.

Check out the final XIs for both sides here. Play starts at 1:20pm (AEDT) and 10:20am local time.

12:30pm - Healy slams Panesar

Aussie cricket great Ian Healy has gone into bat for Steve Smith amid his war of words with former England spinner Monty Panesar.

"Gee they care about getting in the opposition's head the poms – too much!" Healy exclaimed on SEN.

"I was going to give it to Monty, he had one great batting effort, he staved us off in Cardiff, we couldn’t get him out.

"Monty thinks he has the right to give it to our interim captain. He’s wrong too. Smith did nothing wrong other than being a lazy captain in the SA debacle. It happened under his watch. Two of his players hatched a plan, that he asked about but then said he didn’t want to know. He should have waited for the answer and stopped it. He got a year out.

"Monty, I think, still thinks Smith was scratching the ball…no chance."

12:00pm - It's here, SEN brings you the 2025/26 Ashes series

11:58am - Sundaresan's predictions

Bharat Sundaresan has made his pre-series predictions ahead of play on Day 1 in Perth.

Speaking on SEN The New Ball with Tom Morris, Sundaresan made his picks for overall result, top run scorer and top wicket taker.

Check out his picks below!

Result: 3-2 Australia

Top run scorer: Marnus Labuschagne (Australia)

Top wicket taker: Gus Atkinson (England)

9:45am England are confident

Bharat Sundaresan believes this is the most confident England side he has seen on Australian soil amid pressure for the to make a big impact in WA.

"England believe," Bharat Sundaresan told SEN Breakfast. "I used to doubt it, whether all the talk was a gimmick.

"With Ben Stokes, he is not play acting. I am impressed by how much belief he has. The amount of time he is spending working on his team, the batters and bowlers, pulling them up and talking with them.

"All those things, England do believe. I don’t think they are over confident. They know they need to start well.

"Why do Ashes always end up being one sided in Australia? England don’t start well.

"Whatever happens with the team, English cricket and fans, there is a natural pessimism and cynicism because they have lost so much on these shores.

"Say Australia bat first today and they're 1-350 at stumps, I can imagine a world where most of the English will say ‘here we go again’ but I don’t think the team will do that – that is the difference I am seeing."

8:15am "hired assassin" backed to take 25 wickets

Australia's Scott Boland is being backed to take "25 wickets plus" this series.

SEN cricket expert Bryce McGain made the prediction in his final preview of what fans can expect to witness at Optus Stadium, where Boland will be front and centre given the injuries to Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

Australia's back-up bowler, who boasts the best bowling average in Test cricket since 1915, is a guaranteed starter against England.

"Boland is going to have a mighty series," McGain said on SEN Breakfast. "He is just about bullet proof.

"He is a calm gentleman on the outside, inside there is a fire burning. He will prove to that English team he is a different person to deal with in Australia.

"It'll be 25 wickets plus for Scotty this series, he is going to be dynamic."

Boland's first coach Nick Jewell, from Frankston-Peninsula Cricket Club echoed McGain's thoughts when asked about the transformation he has seen since he first met the star, nicknamed "barrel".

"His transformation over two years was hard to believe," Jewell told the BBC. "He is almost like a hired assassin. He is so calm, cool and collected.

"You very rarely see a change in his attitude or demeanour whether it is going good or bad.

"At times you thought as a coach, 'Am I getting through to this bloke?' but you saw it in the changes in his game and performances."

Brendan Doggett and Jake Weatherald will debut for Australia and while some believe the inexperience will give England the edge, McGain warns not to under estimate anyone on the field.

"It’s not going to be easy for England but there are two debutants but that’s where you want to hone in," he continued.

"These aren’t little boys hopping in and we hope they do well, cross fingers. These are seasoned pros, they have done this year on year."