England seized a 49-run lead over Australia after a chaotic Ashes 2025-26 opener in Perth, with Ben Stokes' five-wicket burst capping a remarkable day where 19 wickets tumbled on a ferocious surface

The Australian media reacted poorly after Ben Stokes and England stormed back to seize an early Ashes advantage in the first Test in Perth

Veteran quick Mitchell Starc was in devastating form, taking a career-best 7-58. But by the close, Ben Stokes was bouncing through Australian batters — and then the celebrations of his England team-mates — to bag 5-23 himself to ensure the visitors sleep well ahead of tomorrow’s second day, when Australia will resume on 123 for nine.

Mitchell Starc's lethal bowling reduced England to a score of just 172 in the 1st innings as the veteran left-arm seamer scalped 7/58

England, leading by 49 runs after day one, require one wicket to bowl Australia out in their first innings of the first Test in Perth

Can England claim a first Ashes victory in Australia since 2010/11? Ben Stokes looks to make history Down Under, but why is this series different to previous thrashings? Why this years contest could b

England's batters are warned to stay in their crease at the non-striker's end during the Ashes in case Australia's bowlers considering 'Mankadding' them.

In the 2017-18 Ashes, Steve Smith scored 687 runs in seven innings at an average of 137.40, marking an explosive peak.