Australia close on 123-9 after England skittled for 172: Ashes first Test, day one – as it happened | Ashes 2025-26

I think we all deserve a lie-down, don’t you? I’ll leave you with Ali Martin’s report from Perth Stadium, where 19 wickets fell in a coruscating start to the 2025-26 Ashes. See you tomorrow for the second, probably penultimate day. Don’t be late!

This is a bit of a weird statgasm: the fastest innings in Ashes history (where the batting team was bowled out)

• 5.49 runs per over England 592 (107.4 overs) v Australia, Old Trafford, 2023

• 5.24 England 166 (31.4 overs) v Australia, Sydney, 2013-14

• 5.23 England 172 (32.5 overs) v Australia, Perth, 2025-26

• 5.17 England 283 (54.4 overs) v Australia, The Oval, 2023

• 5.13 England 407 (79.2 overs) v Australia, Edgbaston, 2005

Australia’s highest is 4.77 runs per over, when they made 327 from 68.3 overs at The Oval in 1934, though they have scored faster while chasing targets.

The opening day of this Ashes series has set an absurdly high bar for what is to come. England played their supporters back at home, a collapse to 172 all out like waking up to a horse’s head in the bed, only for Ben Stokes and his stable of quicks to deliver a more telling statement of their own.

If they did not know it before, Australia are now well aware that this is a very different England side to those of the past. The fast forward but fragile batting was a known quantity, granted. But it now comes with a pool of high-octane seamers who will test techniques and tickers in equal measure.

25 2nd Test, Melbourne, 1901-02

22 2nd Test, The Oval, 1890

20 Only Test, The Oval, 1882; 2nd Test, Melbourne, 1894-95; 4th Test, Old Trafford, 1909

19 1st Test, Perth, 2025-26

18 Only Test, Sydney, 1887-88; 1st Test, Lord’s, 1896

More from Brydon Carse

It was brilliant. The atmosphere was electric; the energy right through the day was awesome.

[On defending 172] Stokesy kept it really simple and just told the bowlers to give everything. I thought the way Gus Atkinson and Jofra started was phenomenal.

[On Ben Stokes] As Ducky (Ben Duckett) said a couple of weeks ago, he’s in Beast Mode at the moment. Hopefully that pays off for him throughout the series.

Stokesy came up with that idea (for the whole squad to walk onto the field together) last night. Luckily we came in at about 8.30. I think if it’d been half an hour later we might have got more stick from the Aussie fans!

The guys who got runs today took the positive option. Even at the end, Alex Carey put us under pressure by being proactive. I thnk our batters will know what gameplan to go with.

The longest partnership all day was 14 overs between Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith. It was dizzingly eventful. It feels like five minutes ago that we weer wondering why Ben Stokes hadn’t brought himself on to bowl; now he’s got five wickets to his name.

England are in a good position but Australia know that third-innings horror stories are a feature of the Ashes, particularly when England tour Australia. The most famous of all, Adelaide 2006, isn’t a relevant precedent here – but Brisbane 1990 could be. I doubt Ben Stokes will be off to Kerry Packer’s casino tonight though.

What a day. Everyone who came to watch got value for money with nineteen wickets. Fantastic last session from everyone and it’s put us in a good position going into tomorrow.

[On Ben Stokes] He’s amazing: his character, his resilience… it’s everything this team strives to be and that was a game-changing spell.

There’s enough assistance with the pace and the bounce. I tried to hit the wicket as hard as I could throughout the day. There were a couple of balls in there that was pretty delighted with. It’s always nice to get one of the best players in the world out.

Thoughts at this difficult time with those who don’t appreciate Test cricket. The first day of the Ashes was one for the books, with wickets falling throughout. Let’s hear what Brydon Carse made of it.

39th over: Australia 123-9 (Lyon 3, Doggett 0) Nathan Lyon sees out the final of the day from Archer, clipping a couple of runs through midwicket off the last ball. The players stroll off the field while the rest of us trying to work out what the hell just happened.

Nineteen wickets have fallen, the most on the opening day of an Ashes Test since 20 were taken at Old Trafford in 1909. And I was there!

38th over: Australia 121-9 (Lyon 1, Doggett 0) The umpires checked whether it was a clean catch. It was – Brook has become such a reliable slip fielder – and Stokes held the ball up to the crowd in celebration of his five-for.

WICKET! Australia 121-9 (Boland c Brook b Stokes 0) Ben Stokes can do anything. Sod the Ashes, get him on world peace. He has bulldozed a five-for, his first against Australia since 2015, in just six overs. Boland was squared up and edged low to second slip, where Brook took a smart low catch.

There goes the eighteenth wicket of the day. E-I-G-H-T-E-E-N. Carey makes room to uppercut Stokes straight to Carse on the boundary at third. Not sure what Carey was trying to do there, especially as he looked in total control playing orthodox cricket.

Four wickets for Stokes, three of them caught by his Durham mate Carse.

37th over: Australia 120-7 (Carey 26, Lyon 1) Archer returns for the last knockings of a pulsating day’s play. A lot goes on but nothing happens.

“Has anyone talked about the quality of the pitch?” says Andy Flintoff. “Seventeen wickets falling on the first day anywhere but Australia would be followed by howls at its unfairness.”

I’d like to let it marinate before offering a judicial verdict but right now I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the pitch. There hasn’t been much sideways movement and the bounce has been consistent (if extravagant). A par score is probably closer to 250.

36th over: Australia 118-7 (Carey 25, Lyon 0) “Such a shame about the booing of players on both sides,” writes Ian Sargeant. “Just about the only blot on the day’s play. I know it’s pantomime season and that’s what the lagered few will be saying it is – but it does annoy me. Smith has done his time and is one of the modern greats. Stokes and Carey have done nothing wrong. Let it go and enjoy what’s in front of you.”

I guess it doesn’t help that many of the crowd have been drinking pints of Booing Juice since 10am.

Mitchell Starc’s run-a-ball cameo ends when he drags Stokes straight to Carse at mid-off. Ben Stokes, a bowler reborn in 2025, has his third wicket.

35th over: Australia 112-6 (Carey 22, Starc 9) Carse has an LBW appeal caught in the throat when Carey inside-edges onto the pads. Starc edges a big flash just wide of the diving Duckett in the gully.

Carey, such a busy, purposeful player, drives Carse superbly through mid-off for four. He has 22 from 21 balls and Australia trail by 60.

34th over: Australia 103-6 (Carey 16, Starc 7) Starc, who might not be the player who scored 99 all those years ago but is still a quality lower-order batter, thumps Stokes through extra cover for three. It feels like this game is moving inexorably towards a one-innings shootout, give or take maybe 20 runs either side.

The run rate has increased dramatically in the last hour. Australia scored 49 from the first 23 overs; they’ve added 54 from the last 11. They’re playing Bazball!

33rd over: Australia 104-6 (Carey 16, Starc 7) Starc spoons Carse over Archer at mid-off for a couple. That was an odd shot, a check drive with his weight going all the wrong way. Nothing odd or unconvincing about Carey’s second boundary, a zesty slap through extra cover for four that brings up the Australian hundred.

At the same stage of their innings, England were no longer batting: their 172 all out came from 32.5 overs.

“No one really talked about Cummins’ batting, did they?” says Phil Harrison. “But England are one wicket away from Nathan Lyon.”

A few people talked about it; I only know this because I’ve listened to approximately 491 Ashes podcasts in the last fortnight. Jonathan Howcroft also mentioned it earlier in the day.

We sometimes forget that Boland and Lyon scored vital runs that famous Edgbaston victory two years ago. Not that I’d fancy their chances tonight.

32nd over: Australia 91-6 (Carey 11, Starc 1) Carey tickles Stokes down the leg side for four, though it wasn’t far wide of the diving Smith.

Two left-handers at the crease now, so it might be time for Jofra Archer to come back.

“I know I’m a luddite who hasn’t got over the boundary no longer being a rope,” writes Mojo Wellington, “but looking at that photo of Archer and Stokes, it is really disheartening to see yet another brand logo snuck on to the England shirt. There is now (at least) four different company logos whacked on there. How long before England cricketers resemble Formula 1 drivers?!”

I thought you needed speed to win in Australia? Hang on, I’m confused now.

Stokes strikes again! Green will feel it was a loose shot but it was beautifully done by Stokes. After bowling everything back of a length, he went slightly wider on the crease to bowl a fullish delivery that straightened off the seam. Green, who couldn’t resist the drive, snicked it to Smith and Stokes punched the air with a knowing certainty.

31st over: Australia 83-5 (Green 24, Carey 4) Carse falls over in his follow through, which enables him to inadvertently block a straight drive from Carey. It whacked him between the shoulder blades and he bounced straight to his feet.

30th over: Australia 79-5 (Green 23, Carey 1) Alex Carey is booed to the crease by the Barmy Army. Ach, let it go, he’s done his time – and he didn’t really do anything wrong in the first placee.

Carey has been in career-best form in the last 18 months, specialising in tough runs when Australia really need them.

How many bloody times? Ben Stokes, the man who makes things happen, has made something happen just when England needed it. It was a nothing delivery, in truth, good line and just short of a length from around the wicket.Head flick-pulled straight to Carse at midwicket and walked off shaking his head. That’s a biggie for England.

29th over: Australia 76-4 (Head 21, Green 21) As Brydon Carse returns to the attack, Tim de Lisle writes in with a typically brilliant stat: in his fledgling Test career, Carse averages 60 at home and 19 away.

Four runs from his first over back, including a thick edge from Green that drops short of Duckett and then gets through him for a couple.

“Dear,” writes Fabrice H. “We are looking for reliable supplier partners to meet our request. Your products interest us, could you provide us with a catalog of your products? We work with payment deadlines of 7 or 14 days by bank transfer after delivery of the goods. We would like to start a long-term collaboration with you and create a partnership. Looking forward to reading you.”

What do you reckon? Is this my IPL deal or what?

28th over: Australia 72-4 (Head 20, Green 18) Ben Stokes comes on for Mark Wood (5-0-18-0). He almost golden-arms Green with his first ball, which is short, wide and somehow evades Green’s attempted violence.

A more measured drive from Green brings three runs through mid-off. This partnership is now worth 41, the third highest of the day.

“Morning Rob,” says Phil Sawyer. “Morning Everyone, morning the Creeping Fear, morning… England taking some wickets? Hang on, I might have to take this Creeping Fear back to the shop, it doesn’t seem to be charging up properly.”

Hmm, I’d give it another hour.

27th over: Australia 69-4 (Head 20, Green 15) Atkinson continues. His line has been superb and I suspect he has made the batters play more than any other England bowler. He’s made them miss a fair bit too; Head is beaten when he tries to cut a scrambled-seam delivery.

This first day has almost been a mash-up of Lord’s 2005. England’s quicks beat Australia up, the tourists bat first and are rolled for less than 200, then the home side lose their top order in a hurry either side of tea. What could it all mean?

26th over: Australia 69-4 (Head 20, Green 15) Green pushes Wood nicely through the covers for a couple, then clips him through midwicket for two more. A handsome drive through mid-off for four completes a good over for Australia.

I’m loath to say batting is getting easier, as it’s barely 10 minutes since Green almost ate a short one from Wood, but it’s fair to say runs are coming more freely now: 49 from the first 23 overs, 20 from the last three.

It’s also worth nothing that Wood’s pace hasn’t been quite as volcanic in this second spell – nearer 90mph than 95 I think.

Memo to Ben Stokes: it’s time for Ben Stokes.

25th over: Australia 61-4 (Head 20, Green 7) Head drives Atkinson through mid-off and cover for consecutive twos. He follows that with his first boundary, slashed semi-deliberately over the slips. This guy, as Richie Benaud used to say, is a dangerous customer.

24th over: Australia 53-4 (Head 12, Green 7) Green is okay to continue and sees off the last two balls of Wood’s over. As tough as this has been for Australia, they’re only 119 runs behind. We could be in for a low-scoring classic.

“Atkinson has quietly been the pick of the bowlers, absolutely superb,” writes Chris Paraskevas. “Sort of reminds me of Ryan Harris with a low centre of gravity and the way it skids onto the batter.

“I actually can’t believe (can and totally expected) the selectors picked Cameron Green over Beau Webster, who is a superb cricketer and has already produced some match-saving displays for Australia.

“For all his talent and price tag, Green has a fair bit to prove in this series. Needs his engage his cricket brain and not just the brawn.”

There are still 33 overs remaining. Realistically we’ll get maybe half of those before the close at 5.50pm local time/8.50pm AEDT/9.50am GMT.

23.4 overs: Australia 53-4 (Head 12, Green 7) WOW. W O W. A brutish short ball from Wood hits Green flush on the grille. He staggers backwards and does really well to veer away from his stumps.

Green will need a concussion test so the umpires call for drinks.

23rd over: Australia 49-4 (Head 9, Green 6) Down! Green gets a leading edge back to Atkinson, who crouches puts down a relatively straightforward chance in his follow through. No caught and bowled is easy but I reckon Atkinson would take that eight times out of 10.

If Green goes on to make a big score, Atkinson may need to find a local pastor. He has bowled superbly in both spells and deserves a wicket.

“I’ve had an interesting day,” says Phil Withall. “Family commitments, locked doors, vaulting fences, angry dogs. Just a normal day off really. Anyway, because of all that I have only managed sporadic updates with the cricket and it seems to be a continuation of the chaotic day I’ve enjoyed. Madness…”

22nd over: Australia 48-4 (Head 9, Green 5) Mark Wood replaces Brydon Carse, who bruised Australia in a spell of 6-1-20-2. This is a slight risk; Wood’s extra pace might get Australia going and Stokes himself might have been a better option. Save Wood for the tail and all that.

His first ball to Head is too straight and flies away for four leg-byes. Jamie Smith appeals for a catch down the leg side when Green pushes around his hip; there was a deflection but it came off the hip rather than the bat.

21st over: Australia 42-4 (Head 8, Green 4) Travis Head is whacked in a delicate area by Atkinson, then inside edges past the stumps wth one hand coming off the bat. He’s all over the show – but in some ways that makes him more dangerous for England. At some stage in this series Head will come off, and chances are when he does he’ll play a matchwinning innings. England won’t even look at the box seat until they get rid of him.

“Woke up, checked the score,” begins Matt Dony. “Read back through the day’s play so far, felt the familiar wave of disappointment. Ah well. Won’t be long until the next series. Got ready for work, defrosted the car, checked the score again, four wickets down! What on earth? If day one is a tone-setter, this is going to be exciting…”

20th over: Australia 41-4 (Head 7, Green 4) Head larrups Carse over the cover fielders for three – not perfectly timed but a statement of counter-attacking intent. Carse almost nips that in the bud with successive beauties to beat Green.

Never mind all the talk about pace, it’s Carse’s bounce that is terrorising Australia.

19th over: Australia 38-4 (Head 4, Green 4) So close to a fifth wicket! Atkinson, on for Archer, went straight round the wicket to Head and found a leading edge that looped tantalisingly over the leaping Pope in the gully. The next ball also teased the fielders behind square on the off side before dropping short.

Australia look a bit shell-shocked; they have to find a way to put pressure back on England. Cameron Green shows the way by driving Atkinson handsomely through mid-on for four to get off the mark. That’s a beautiful shot, played with a serenity that belies the predicament his team are in.

18th over: Australia 31-4 (Head 1, Green 0) Australia have got to start punching back. Easier said than done, I know, but they’re going nowhere and have allowed England’s bowlers to settle into a rhythm.

Now, this is interesting – Usman Khawaja’s hand may have been off the bat when he gloved Carse through to Smith. I guess he’d have no idea, given he was trying to protect life and limb, but had he reviewed it the third umpire may well have given him not out. Echoes of Michael Kasprowicz at the end of Edgbaston 2005.

England are all over Australia like a cheap cliche. Carse went round the wicket to the left-handed Khawaja and rammed in a vicious delivery that climbed to kiss the glove and fly through to Jamie Smith.

Fourteen wickets have fallen in barely 50 overs: it’s Perth 2024 all over again.

An absolute snorter from Brydon Carse gets rid of Usman Khawaja!

17th over: Australia 31-3 (Khawaja 2, Head 1) Head is beaten by successive deliveries from Archer. The first was short and trampolined past Head’s attempted uppercut; the second was a textbook length deelivery to the left-hander. A maiden from Jofra Archer, who has delicious figures of 7-4-7-2.

England were 77 for 3 after 17 overs of their innings.

“Steve Smith has started, now he’s finished,” says Steven Pye. “Honk!”

I love a self-honk.

16th over: Australia 31-3 (Khawaja 2, Head 1) Buckle up, buttercup. Travis Head is the new batter, and he won’t score at two an over. It was his sizzling counter-attack, remember, that won the first Test of the 2021-22 Ashes.

Beautiful bowling from Brydon Carse to take the Brobdingnagian wicket of Steve Smith. It kicked from a length, maybe straightened a touch, and Smith could only fence it to Harry Brook at second slip. He took a smart catch with the minimum of fuss.

In truth Smith did well to make 17 because he was beaten maybe 10 times, hit on the elbow twice and again on the hand.

Told you Brydon Carse bowled wicket-taking deliveries. Ahem.

15th over: Australia 29-2 (Smith 17, Khawaja 1) Usman Khawaja, who was unable to bat earlier due to the time he spent off the field during England’s innings, is beaten by his first ball. When he gets off the mark, Smith is beaten for the umpteenth time. Hot stuff from Jofra Archer, who has marvellous figures of 6-3-7-2. All those lonely hours of rehab, all those long nights of the soul spread across three or four years, were for moments like this.

A batter’s strength can also be a weakness, even when that strength is leaving the ball. Labuschagne shapes to play Archer, then changes his mind and tries to pull his bat out of the way – but he’s a split second too late and deflects the ball down onto the stumps. England needed that.

14th over: Australia 28-1 (Labuschagne 9, Smith 17) A poor over from Carse. He starts with a short ball that Smith cuts for his first boundary, then feeds him another to hook for four. Carse will always bowl potential wicket-taking deliveries, and he beats Smith later in the over, but right now England need him to be more disciplined.

If I were Ben Stokes, I’d be tempted to bring on Ben Stokes at this end.

This is terrific stuff, not least because of the contrast in styles. England’s innings was played at 3x: after 13 overs, they were 59 for three.

13th over: Australia 20-1 (Labuschagne 9, Smith 9) Smith has another windy woof at a very wide delivery from Archer. He’s struggling, more so than Labuschagne. Stokes moves Pope to short leg and almost gets an instant reward when Smith fences a short ball in the air to his right.

Labuschagne shoulders arms to a nipbacker from Archer that barely misses off stump. A good leave, ultimately, but for a split-second Labuschagne’s heartbeat will have turned into a drum and bass track.

“Hello Rob,” says Krishnamoorthy V. “When you say bruises the first image that comes to my mind is that of Phil Edmonds showing off his bruises in a typical James Bond on the beaches style during the 1986 West Indies tour! THAT is the standard.”

Ah yes, a gift from Patrick Patterson. I think the picture is somewhere near the bottom of this piece.

12th over: Australia 19-1 (Labuschagne 9, Smith 8) Carse gives Labuschagne a serve at the end of the over; Labuschagne walks after him to give a bit back. It’s getting hot out there.

Labuschagne is not out

There’s a murmur on Snicko, nothing more, as the ball passes the bat – but the third umpire decides that’s not enough to overturn the decision. That’s fair enough, even if some of the Barmy Army aren’t entirely in agreement with the adherence to protocol.

England review for caught behind against Labuschagne!

A full delivery from Carse is laced through extra cover for three by Labuschagne. Maybe that’s why Jofra hasn’t pitched it up too often.

Carse beats Smith with an excellent good-length delivery. England go up for caught behind but it’s not a convincing appeal and Stokes decides not to review. The ball hit the flap of the pad rather than the edge; Smith was already in position to review if the umpire gave him out.

There’s plenty happening for the England bowlers. Smith is surprised by a delivery that climbs from nowhere, then Labuschagne survives a big appeal for caught behind. This time England do go upstairs. I think it might be a wasted review.

11th over: Australia 15-1 (Labuschagne 6, Smith 7) The rest of the over passes without incident. Archer has bowled well but, if you’re being picky, his length has been fractionally short.

10.2 overs: Australia 15-1 (Labuschagne 6, Smith 7) Archer’s first ball hits Smith on the back elbow, the second time he’s been struck there in this innings. His second rams into the right hand and Smith calls the physio onto the field. He’s okay to continue but he’ll have a few bruises when he wakes up tomorrow.

I suppose there’s nothing wrong with the odd bruise if you get it doing the thing you love.

The players are back on the field. And Jofra Archer is back in the attack.

“Smith and Marnus have already faced more balls… than every England batter other Brook and Pope,” notes Rown Sweeney. “Madness.”

Teatime reading

If you only buy one cricket-themed Christmas present, make it Steven Finn’s new book. The prologue alone made me want to punch the air and weep like a baby. It’s an unmitigated triumph, one of the best books on the mental side of sport I’ve ever read.