The opening day of the 2025/26 Ashes didn’t disappoint as 19 wickets fell on a record-breaking day.
Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bat with England making it to 172 all out.
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But in response, the visitors bowled Australia out for 132, with Stokes taking a five-for.
However, this Test doesn’t look like it is going to last much longer.
England are seven wickets down in their second innings as they look to build a target for the Aussies to chase.
England vs Australia: Date and how to follow First Test
The First Ashes Test will take place from Friday, November 21 to Tuesday, November 25.
It is being held at Optus Stadium in Perth – the first time the new $1.6billion venue has hosted an Ashes match and also a return to Perth after the WA city was not included in the 2021/22 series.
It will be an early start for fans in the UK, with the match scheduled to get underway at 2.20am GMT each day.
Live UK coverage will be TNT Sports 1 from 1:30am.
Meanwhile, talkSPORT will keep you across the action with Jon Norman providing regular updates from Perth throughout the week.
To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
Listen via the talkSPORT app here, or on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
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The talkSPORT Cricket YouTube channel will feature regular content throughout the series, including a daily show.
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England vs Australia: First Test scorecard and team news
England have opted for a five-man pace attack with spinner Shoaib Bashir missing out as expected.
Mark Wood is fit to play despite a recent back issue.
Australia have recalled Marnus Labuschagne at number three while Jake Weatherald makes his debut as an opener.
Brendan Doggett has been included in the host’s bowling attack with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood out injured.
Australia
- Jake Weatherald
- Usman Khawaja
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steve Smith (c)
- Travis Head
- Cameron Green
- Alex Carey (wk)
- Mitchell Starc
- Nathan Lyon
- Brendan Doggett
- Scott Boland
England
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Ben Stokes (c)
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- Gus Atkinson
- Brydon Carse
- Jofra Archer
- Mark Wood
Toss: England won the toss and decided to bat
Officials: Adrian Holdstock, Nitin Menon, Sharfuddoula Saikat, Ranjan Madugalle, Shawn Craig
The latest scorecard from the first Test in Perth can be found here.
2025/26 Ashes schedule
First Test: Optus Stadium, Perth – November 21-25
Second Test: The Gabba, Brisbane – December 4-8
Third Test: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide – December 17-21
Fourth Test: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne – December 26-30
Fifth Test: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney – January 4-8
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England vs Australia First Test: What’s been said?
Australia’s chief selector George Bailey has defended the age of the squad for the First Test.
Following the announcement of the side, he said: “We’re aware of the age profile of the team.
“I’m interested when people have that view as to who they would like us to leave. Is that Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc out? Is that just because of their age?
“You’ve got to give due respect that the guys are performing very well and they have the right to be selected.”
Meanwhile, former England bowler Chris Woakes believes the tourists ‘have a hell of a chance’ of winning back the urn this winter.
He said: “Going to Australia is a different beast. I’m hoping the guys can go and do a good job and we’ve got a great chance this time.
“We have great depth and a great squad. The lads in the first XI, if they can stay fit and on the field we have a hell of a chance.
“Ashes cricket is played with more venom behind it but these players have played a lot of international cricket and enough to know what it’s about.
“We have been building nicely over the last few years but not quite got over the line in the big series, but it doesn’t get any bigger than this.
“We are due a competitive performance down under and these guys have got that in the locker.”
