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20th over: Australia 41-4 (Head 7, Green 4) Head larrups Carse over the cover fielders for three \u2013 not perfectly timed but a statement of counter-attacking intent. Carse almost nips that in the bud with successive beauties to beat Green.<\/p>\n
Never mind all the talk about pace, it\u2019s Carse\u2019s bounce that is terrorising Australia.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s a beautiful shot, played with a serenity that belies the predicament his team are in.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 18th over: Australia 31-4 (Head 1, Green 0) Australia have got to start punching back. Easier said than done, I know, but they\u2019re going nowhere and have allowed England\u2019s bowlers to settle into a rhythm.<\/p>\n Now, this is interesting \u2013 Usman Khawaja\u2019s hand may have been off the bat when he gloved Carse through to Smith. I guess he\u2019d 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Fourteen wickets have fallen in barely 50 overs: it\u2019s Perth 2024 all over again<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>WICKET! Australia 31-4 (Khawaja c Smith b Carse 2)<\/p>\n An absolute snorter from Brydon Carse gets rid of Usman Khawaja!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n England were 77 for 3 after 17 overs of their innings.<\/p>\n \u201cSteve Smith has started, now he\u2019s finished<\/a>,\u201d says Steven Pye. \u201cHonk!\u201d<\/p>\n I love a self-honk.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 16th over: Australia 31-3 (Khawaja 2, Head 1) Buckle up, buttercup. Travis Head is the new batter, and he won\u2019t score at two an over. It was his sizzling counter-attack, remember, that won the first Test of the 2021-22 Ashes.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.57 EST<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>WICKET! Australia 30-3 (Smith c Brook b Carse 17)<\/p>\n Told you Brydon Carse bowled wicket-taking deliveries. Ahem.<\/p>\n Steve Smith trudges off. Photograph: Philip Brown\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.57 EST<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.48 EST<\/p>\n WICKET! Australia 28-2 (Labuschagne b Archer 9)<\/p>\n A batter\u2019s 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 \u2013 but he\u2019s a split second too late and deflects the ball down onto the stumps. England needed that.<\/p>\n Labuschagne chops on. Photograph: Philip Brown\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.49 EST<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n If I were Ben Stokes, I\u2019d be tempted to bring on Ben Stokes at this end.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n This is terrific stuff, not least because of the contrast in styles. England\u2019s innings was played at 3x: after 13 overs, they were 59 for three.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 13th over: Australia 20-1 (Labuschagne 9, Smith 9) Smith has another windy woof at a very wide delivery from Archer. He\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Labuschagne shoulders arms to a nipbacker from Archer that barely misses off stump. A good leave, ultimately, but for a split-second Labuschagne\u2019s heartbeat will have turned into a drum and bass track.<\/p>\n \u201cHello Rob,\u201d says Krishnamoorthy V. \u201cWhen 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Ah yes, a gift from Patrick Patterson. I think the picture is somewhere near the bottom of this piece.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 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\u2019s getting hot out there.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Labuschagne is not out<\/p>\n There\u2019s a murmur on Snicko, nothing more, as the ball passes the bat \u2013 but the third umpire decides that\u2019s not enough to overturn the decision. That\u2019s fair enough, even if some of the Barmy Army aren\u2019t entirely in agreement with the adherence to protocol.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n England review for caught behind against Labuschagne!<\/p>\n A full delivery from Carse is laced through extra cover for three by Labuschagne. Maybe that\u2019s why Jofra hasn\u2019t pitched it up too often.<\/p>\n Carse beats Smith with an excellent good-length delivery. England go up for caught behind but it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n There\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 11th over: Australia 15-1 (Labuschagne 6, Smith 7) The rest of the over passes without incident. Archer has bowled well but, if you\u2019re being picky, his length has been fractionally short.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 10.2 overs: Australia 15-1 (Labuschagne 6, Smith 7) Archer\u2019s first ball hits Smith on the back elbow, the second time he\u2019s been struck there in this innings. His second rams into the right hand and Smith calls the physio onto the field. He\u2019s okay to continue but he\u2019ll have a few bruises when he wakes up tomorrow.<\/p>\n I suppose there\u2019s nothing wrong with the odd bruise if you get it doing the thing you love.<\/p>\n Smith takes one for the team. Photograph: Darrian Traynor\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.26 EST<\/p>\n The players are back on the field. And Jofra Archer is back in the attack.<\/p>\n \u201cSmith and Marnus have already faced more balls… than every England batter other Brook and Pope,\u201d notes Rown Sweeney. \u201cMadness.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.22 EST<\/p>\n Teatime reading<\/p>\n If you only buy one cricket-themed Christmas present, make it Steven Finn\u2019s new book. The prologue alone made me want to punch the air and weep like a baby. It\u2019s an unmitigated triumph, one of the best books on the mental side of sport I\u2019ve ever read.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cMorning from Kigali,\u201d writes Liam Taylor. \u201cIf anyone out there is looking for the Test Match Special overseas link, it doesn\u2019t appear to be available for this series. You can still listen to TMS abroad by downloading the Cricket<\/a> Australia app, which also lets you listen to a range of Australian commentary. Hope this helps anyone looking for it \u2013 in the time that it took me to find it, three England wickets fell…\u201d<\/p>\n Crikey, you are quick.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Tea<\/p>\n 10th over: Australia 15-1 (Labuschagne 6, Smith 7) Brydon Carse, my outside bet for player of the series should England win, replaces Atkinson after a fine spell of 4-3-2-0. His second ball is too full and driven crisply through the covers for three by Smith, who is starting to look good after a scratchy start.<\/p>\n A snarling, seaming lifter from Carse beats Labuschagne outside off stump. The rest of the over passes without incident and the players walk off for tea. It\u2019s been Australia\u2019s day so far \u2013 they trail by 157 runs after Mitchell Starc razed England for 172 in just 32.5 overs.<\/p>\n Time for me to find a coffee shop that is open; we\u2019ll be back for an extended evening session.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 9th over: Australia 12-1 (Labuschagne 6, Smith 4) Wood hits 151 kmh (94 mph) with the first ball of his second over. But so far the Aussies have looked relatively comfortable against his extreme pace \u2013 there have been a couple of thick edges but no more than that. Wood has made them play at almost every delivery in the first two overs.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought Australia were a bit sloppy this morning,\u201d writes Chris Paraskevas, \u201cand even Mitchell Starc didn\u2019t really hit his previous heights with those spells.<\/p>\n \u201cI also don\u2019t think the England batters being proactive was such a bad idea, and the total isn\u2019t a complete disaster.<\/p>\n \u201cThe one thing I did notice was that none of the batters seemed willing to build a partnership, unlike their opening bowlers, who complemented each other with bounce v skid. Perhaps only Pope and Brook, with one a little more withdrawn and the other expansive.<\/p>\n \u201cUndoubtedly Weatherald was thrown by having another partner, so the dynamic of batting\/bowling of pairs across the series will be crucial, noting both teams are prone to collapse.\u201d<\/p>\n It was a strange innings, wasn\u2019t it? England were rolled for 172, which looks pathetic and familiar, but at times they treated the Australian bowlers with contempt. I\u2019m still trying to make sense of it. That said, there\u2019s no doubt it\u2019s a below-par total.<\/p>\n Mark Wood. Fearsome pace. Photograph: Gareth Copley\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.09 EST<\/p>\n 8th over: Australia 9-1 (Labuschagne 5, Smith 3) As well as England have bowled, they have got to break this partnership quicksmart because Labuschagne and Smith know exactly how to navigate a situation like this. If they are together after 20 overs, Australia will be in a healthy postion \u2013 even if they\u2019re still scoring at one run an over.<\/p>\n \u201cI was given the choice of going to watch Carlisle United at Boston or the Ashes at Perth,\u201d writes David Stoddart. \u201cIt was a difficult choice.\u201d<\/p>\n (David has also attached an envy-inducing pic of himself, in Carlisle United garb, overlooking the action at the Optus. No time to upload it, alas, but I can confirm his view is better than mine and probably yours.)<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 7th over: Australia 7-1 (Labuschagne 4, Smith 2) Smith fences Wood\u2019s first ball behind square on the leg side. Pope collects near backward square leg and misses a run-out chance with Labuschagne short of his ground.<\/p>\n Labuschagne is beaten twice later in the over, the second an old-fashioned bit of chin music. Wood hasn\u2019t bowled in a first-class game since August 2024 but his pace is already up at 93mph. He is \u2013 and I say this with nothing but love \u2013 an utter freak.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 6th over: Australia 6-1 (Labuschagne 4, Smith 1) Smith misses a woolly hook at Atkinson, then survives a big shout for LBW. Ben Stokes calmly motions that it\u2019s too high \u2013 but it was a cracking delivery that came back to beat Smith on the inside. Replays confirm it was going over.<\/p>\n Apparently the first six overs weren\u2019t exciting enough, because here comes Mark Wood.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cMorning Rob,\u201d says Guy Hornsby, and I was tempted to give the old Chappelli reply until I realised Guy hadn\u2019t actually said good morning. \u201cWe\u2019ve seen this one before, eh? The last time I checked the score before my alarm we were 100-odd for 4. Having seen some of the sub-optimal shots we played in the latter part of that innings, 172 feels apt, really. It doesn\u2019t seem that \u2013 in the face of some excellent bowling \u2013 we came with our heads totally screwed on. Still, long way to go, and our attack, as it often is, needs to pull us back into the game. One down…\u201d<\/p>\n At the risk of being the grown-up in the room for the first time in my life, I think we should reserve judgement on England\u2019s performance until the end of the game. Okay, fair enough. Till the close of play?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.56 EST<\/p>\n 5.4 overs: Australia 5-1 (Labuschagne 4, Smith 1) Smith is hit painfully on the right elbow by Atkinson, who is bowling beautifully. There\u2019s a break in play while he receives treatment.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 5th over: Australia 5-1 (Labuschagne 4, Smith 1) Smith pushes Archer into the covers for the first run of the innings, then Labuschagne times a sweet boundary through mid-on. That\u2019s the risk of going fuller.<\/p>\n \u201cI was expecting England to fare slightly better against a depleted Aussie attack but their gung-ho approach – Smith and Brook\u2019s counter-atrack was fun to watch – was always going to lead to trouble against the ever-lethal Mitchel Starc,\u201d writes Colum Fordham. \u201cWhen Brook was out, surely Atkinson and Carse needed to buckle down and help Smith get a hal-decent score. But no, Bazball at all costs.\u201d<\/p>\n The ease with which the lower order was wiped out is a concern for England. There was an assumption they would score runs, and they can all bat, but Australia routinely detonate England\u2019s Nos 8-11 in their own conditions. Even Chris Woakes, probably England\u2019s best long-term No8, had to fight tooth and nail to average 21 in Australia.<\/p>\n Labuschagne ducks a bouncer. Photograph: Gary Day\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.05 EST<\/p>\n 4th over: Australia 0-1 (Labuschagne 0, Smith 0) Labuschagne bat-pads Atkinson on the bounce to Pope at short leg. He\u2019s leaving on length as much as possible but looks tentative when Atkinson draws him forward.<\/p>\n As I type that, Atkinson is squared up by a good one that zips past the edge. He can maybe afford to go a bit fuller \u2013 but then England are building pressure by joining the dot balls. In fact they\u2019re joining the maidens: that\u2019s four in a row to start the innings. They\u2019ve beaten the bat at least eight times in those four overs, possibly more. I knew I should have brought my abacus.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 3rd over: Australia 0-1 (Labuschagne 0, Smith 0) Smith has an almighty wipe at a very wide ball from Archer, making contact only with the still Perth air. That\u2019s the sixth play-and-miss in the first 15 balls to go with the wicket of Weatherald.<\/p>\n Another maiden from Archer, not quite as menacing as the first but still extremely encouraging for England. Australia just need to get through this spell because life will get easier.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever the rest of this Test goes, I think it\u2019s pretty clear that England are going to win the run-rate battle,\u201d writes Thomas Jenkins. \u201cWho cares about the war when you can win the battle?\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 2nd over: Australia 0-1 (Labuschagne 0, Smith 0) All that talk about why Marnus Labuschagne had to bat No3 and here he is opening on day one of the series. He leaves the second ball from Gus Atkinson, which zips over the top of off stump. Plenty of excitement behind the stumps but it was a safe leave on length, something Labuschagne does so well in Australia.<\/p>\n He\u2019s beaten by a cracker next ball, pushing tentatively at a fuller one that whooshes past off stump, and then plays and misses at an even better delivery that snarls off the seam. England\u2019s bowlers have started with ferocious purpose.<\/p>\n \u201cIs this the one-day Ashes?\u201d asks Sandy C. \u201cJust tuned in after a long day here on the west coast and England have already \u2018completed\u2019 their first innings?! What?! I initially thought the match had been delayed upon seeing the small number of overs bowled – but oh wow, England were a little too keen to get back to the dressing room! Hoping Australia can close the gap in the next four hours which is as long as I can be awake.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.25 EST<\/p>\n 1st over: Australia 0-1 (Labuschagne 0, Smith 0) Smith is beaten twice in the first four balls, once on either side of the bat. A storming start from Archer, who gets a pat on the back from almost every England player at the end of a wicket maiden.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>WICKET! Australia 0-1 (Weatherald LBW b Archer 0)<\/p>\n Jofra Archer strikes second ball! He eats left-handers for breakfast, lunch and tea. Weatherald fell over a full, straight delivery and was sent flying when the ball hit the pad. What a start.<\/p>\n Archer strikes early. Photograph: Colin Murty\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Steve Smith is the new batter. He and Jofra have met before.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.59 EST<\/p>\n This looks really close\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n England review for LBW! Jofra Archer starts the innings with an excellent delivery that beats a nervous, crooked poke from Weatherald. Archer has such a good record against left-handers \u2013 and he thinks he\u2019s got another when Weatherald is knocked off his feet by a full delivery that hits him on the pad.<\/p>\n It\u2019s given not out but Ben Stokes goes upstairs. I think it pitched outside leg. If not, Weatherald is toast.<\/p>\n Weatherald ties himself in knot. Photograph: Colin Murty\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.58 EST<\/p>\n The debutant Jake Weatherald walks out to bat alongside the stand-in opener Marnus Labuschagne. As Martin said, Usman Khawaja was off the field for too long during the England innings so he will bat later in the day.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.17 EST<\/p>\n India were bowled out for 150 on day one of last year\u2019s Perth Test and went on to win by 295 runs. But that pitch was more moist, much tougher for batting on day one \u2013 and Jasprit Bumrah bowled one of the greatest spells of the 21st century. England need something Bumrah-adjacent, probably from Jofra Archer.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Thanks Martin, hello everyone. If anyone can explain what we\u2019ve just watched, I\u2019m all ears. England scored at 5.23 per over – the third fastest completed innings in Ashes history \u2013 yet they didn\u2019t even reach 200. The main reason was a career-best performance from Mitchell Starc, who took 7 for 58 and made hamburger out of England\u2019s much hyped batting line-up. In the circumstances, particularly the absence of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, it was a staggering display.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n England have paid a huge price for some outlandish batting but Mitchell Starc deserves all the credit that comes his way. The left-armer finishes with his best figures in a Test innings with seven for 58. And on that note, let\u2019s all take a moment to catch our breath as Rob Smyth prepares to take the new ball for Australia\u2019s innings.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a001.13 EST<\/p>\n Usman Khawaja spent quite a bit of time off the field during the England innings \u2013 and with a collapse of five wickets in three overs the veteran will not be able to open for Australia. After all the conjecture over Marnus Labuschagne\u2019s role in the batting lineup, in the in-form, designated No 3 will presumably now open alongside debutant Jake Weatherald.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>England all out for 172<\/p>\n Mitchell Starc finishes with seven for 58 \u2013 and will begin the second innings on a hat-trick \u2013 as Mark Wood swipes at a short ball and skies a top edge for Alex Carey to claim with the gloves. Perhaps harsh on a No 11, but that sums up the England collapse of five for 12.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>WICKET! Smith c Green b Starc 33 (England 172-9)<\/p>\n England\u2019s hopes of putting together a competitive total now rest with Jamie Smith but the keeper-batter can\u2019t resist a shorter ball from Mitchell Starc and is caught at deep midwicket. Common sense appears to have been checked-in at Heathrow and lost somewhere in transit. Starc has six for 58.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 32nd over: England 168-8 (Smith 29, Archer 0) Oh, my! Brydon Carse cops a bouncer smack bang on the grille. It barely moves him, on the outside at least, but that is enough to shake any batter. A quick check and Carse is back into action. But Brendan Doggett has shown that he has a mean shorter ball and the right-hander is caught on the boundary a few balls later with a frankly ridiculous attempt to respond.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>WICKET! Carse c Labuschagne b Doggett 6 (England 168-8)<\/p>\n Brydon Carse is crunched by a bouncer that he sees too late, then hoicks a shorter ball later in the over straight down Marnus Labuschagne\u2019s throat at backward square. It\u2019s a good catch on the move from Labuschagne, but a silly shot to begin with.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 31st over: England 167-7 (Smith 28, Carse 6) Australia have been able to strike whenever England look like working their way back into the game. That\u2019s Starc\u2019s fifth five-wicket haul in the Ashes. Brydon Carse shows more intent with a boundary at third man but a swing and a miss is more in keeping with the times as Starc returns to his familiar line just outside off.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>WICKET! Atkinson c Smith b Starc 1 (England 161-7)<\/p>\n Mitchell Starc has a five-for. Gus Atkinson dabbles outside his off-stump with no real intent. The nick carries to Steve Smith at second slip and the left-armer has England in all sorts.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 30th over: England 161-6 (Smith 28, Atkinson 1) Brendon Doggett makes his mark in just his sixth over in Tests with the critical wicket of Harry Brook. The Brook-Smith partnership ends on 45 runs from 30 balls. Steve Smith sends a bat pad in for the final delivery to Gus Atkinson as Australia smell blood only 30 overs into the series.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>WICKET! Brook c Carey b Doggett 52 (England 160-6)<\/p>\n Brendan Doggett has his first Test wicket and what a time to grab it. Brook swings half-heartedly at a shorter ball down the legside, there is a noise on the way through and Carey and Smith are especially keen to review the decision. Doggett is less certain but is hardly going to argue. Brook makes his way from the field before the inevitable arrives and Australia have the wicket they surely wanted most.<\/p>\n A bit of confusion reigns, but Doggett gets his man. Photograph: Philip Brown\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.55 EST<\/p>\n 29th over: England 152-5 (Brook 50, Smith 22) Smith\u2019s turn to crunch back-to-back boundaries as he initially punishes a tiring Starc for bowling too full. The left-armer overcorrects and Smith pulls him to the backward square boundary. Harry Brook brings up his half-century from 58 deliveries with one six and five boundaries, before Smith finishes the over with another boundary. Boland dives to \u2013 unsuccessfully \u2013 prevent the ball reaching the rope at fine leg, but hits the turf heavily and is forced to hobble off the field. 14 runs from the over.<\/p>\n