If you had asked an England fan about the upcoming Ashes a couple of months ago, chances are they would be pessimistic. However, Pat Cummins’ injury taking him out of action for the first test, followed by Josh Hazlewood’s hamstring niggle, the visitors’ chances looked far better. Their hopes were dashed in Perth, however.
Australia handed out two debuts for the first time since 2019 in Perth, to opener Jake Weatherald, and seamer Brendan Doggett. Cummins, at least, should be back in action for the second test, but the first was England’s desperately needed opportunity to start the series right.
This is a markedly different England side to those that have played here over the last 15 years. With Joe Root and Harry Brook, England have the number one and two ranked test batsmen in the world, and in Ben Duckett, they have arguably the best opener in test cricket over the last few years. Captain Ben Stokes’ batting has been under the weather in recent years, although he ended a century drought (on an admittedly placid Old Trafford deck) against India this year. More than his numbers, it’s his talismanic leadership that has helped England develop into the side that they are today.
The Australian batting line-up is somewhat fragile though; Jake Weatherald enters the series as Usman Khawaja’s sixth batting partner since the retirement of David Warner two years ago. Labuschagne returns to the side after being dropped against the West Indies, and hasn’t made a test ton since the last tour to England, back in 2023. The engine room is the middle order, with Smith and Head both being previous winners of the Compton-Miller medal for player of the series in the Ashes.
Meanwhile, the hosts’ bowling is as good as it gets. When all are fit, the quartet of Lyon, Hazlewood, Starc and Cummins are indomitable; Bazball will be tested like never before. Despite missing two of their most potent quicks, and a mediocre performance from Scott Boland, 7-58 for Mitchell Starc saw the tourists dismissed for 172 in the first innings of the series.
For a change, England’s bowling also looks well suited for Australian conditions, Mark Wood and Jofra Archer played in the same XI for only the second time ever, while Gus Atkinson has an excellent record in his fledgling test career. This was proved correct as England bowled beautifully at Australia on day one to dispatch them for 132.
Again though, England folded with the bat. They collapsed from 65-1 to 76-5, and eventually were all out for 164, losing nine wickets in a session. Travis Head proved the pitch was a long way from a minefield, avoiding stupid shots, to bludgeon a fantastic hundred. England’s attack had only had a few overs rest during a short third innings for England with the bat, and Australia won at a canter by eight wickets.
The Ashes is always a highlight of the cricketing calendar, and this year’s edition promises to be no different. Australia confirmed their status as favourites, and their track record is phenomenal. England’s arrogance cost them in Perth, and they have questions to answer moving forwards.
Image Credits: “2018.01.05.10.11.06-Mitchell Starc-0001” by www.davidmolloyphotography.com is licensed under CC BY 2.0.