England suffer immediate setback in Perth as Australia strike in the opening over of the Ashes
England’s Ashes campaign began with an early setback in Perth when Zak Crawley was dismissed for a duck in the first over of the series. Mitchell Starc removed the opener with a delivery that swung late and clipped the stumps, handing Australia an immediate boost in the opening Test match.
The visitors had won the toss on Friday and elected to bat first as Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum sought to make a bold start in a series they described as legacy defining. England have not won an Ashes series in Australia since the tour of two thousand and ten to two thousand and eleven. Their three most recent visits all concluded without a single Test victory. This match in Perth presented a chance to set a new tone.https://dailytuesday.co.uk/tag/australia/
Australia entered the Test with a revised bowling attack after captain Pat Cummins and fellow fast bowler Josh Hazlewood were ruled out through injury. Mitchell Starc therefore led the attack and was supported by Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett. Doggett made his debut as one of two new caps in the Australian side. Jake Weatherald, also making his debut, was named as the opening batter alongside the experienced Usman Khawaja.
England had arrived in Perth with a selection dilemma centred on the shape of their bowling unit. Stokes and McCullum needed to decide whether to field an all pace attack or to include an off spinner. The inclusion of both Mark Wood and Jofra Archer would offer a high pace option, yet the management team also considered bringing in the off spinner Shoaib Bashir for variety on a surface that can change character across the match.
Before England could implement their strategy with the ball they were confronted by the early loss of Crawley. The opener had been central to England’s approach under McCullum and had often set the tone with an aggressive intent. On this occasion he faced Starc in testing conditions with the ball moving through the air. The delivery that dismissed him proved too accurate as Starc celebrated with his team to the delight of the home crowd.
The early breakthrough reinforced the challenge facing England. Perth has hosted many defining Ashes performances and the pitch traditionally offers pace and bounce in the opening sessions. England’s batting order therefore required composure in the face of an Australian attack looking to seize momentum from the outset.
Stokes had spoken before the match about the opportunity to rewrite the story of England’s recent Ashes tours. He said his team understood the importance of starting strongly and maintaining pressure throughout the series. McCullum echoed these remarks and said that the squad had prepared with clarity and intent. Their commitment was evident in selection debates that continued until the final hours before the toss.
Australia entered the match aiming to protect their home record despite the absence of key bowlers. Starc’s early success demonstrated their depth and confidence. The introduction of Doggett and Weatherald added intrigue as the hosts looked to blend experience with new talent.
As play continued after the early wicket England attempted to steady the innings against a disciplined Australian attack. The conditions remained challenging with occasional movement through the air and from the surface. The first session therefore carried significant weight as England sought to settle and Australia aimed to apply sustained pressure.
The early events in Perth reflected the intensity expected of this Ashes series. With both sides dealing with selection questions and injury disruptions the opening hour offered a glimpse of the battles ahead. For England the task was to rebuild after an immediate setback. For Australia the early breakthrough provided a platform as they looked to dictate the direction of the first Test.