The pre-series assertion of former England captain Michael Atherton that England did not fear him proved prophetic as they clattered him for 62 from 10 overs on a surface where 19 wickets fell in a day and Mitchell Starc took a career-best seven-wicket haul.

So it is vital to be fair. Sky Sports has set a very high bar for live cricket coverage, so its decision to withdraw from the race for overseas rights is a source of massive disappointment for those of us who paid our subscriptions mainly to watch England’s cricketers in action.

Ben Stokes has given England a first-innings advantage in the opening Ashes test against Australia. Stokes won the toss Friday but England was skittled for 172 as Australian pace bowler Mitchell Starc took a career-best 7-58.

Australian and UK media batter England after Ben Stokes tourists crumble to humiliating two-day defeat in first Ashes Test; visitors go from Bazball-brilliant to boiled lollies while Sir Geoffrey Boyc

Two batting collapses and Travis Head’s brilliance guided Australia to a 1-0 series lead inside two days but England will simply take Head’s innings as vindication of their own strategy

Former India spinner R Ashwin has slammed England’s reckless Bazball approach after their shocking collapse in the first Ashes Test in Perth.

Roll up, roll up, it's time for the most breathlessly hyped Ashes since the last one. Australia will take on England over the course of five Tests, the first of which starts on Friday in Perth, with the hosts looking to retain the urn they have held since 2017-18. Here is our guide to everything you need to know about the series.

For the first time in a generation, England finally have the pace bowling to truly worry Australia down under, writes Stephan Shemilt.