13.9 C
London
Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Australia vs England – The Ashes LIVE: All the latest updates

Follow Daily Mail Australia’s live blog for Day One of the first Ashes Test at Perth.

Stokes wins the toss and decides to bat

You can hear the England fans roar as the skipper makes his choice. It’s his first time skippering the side in Australia, and he confirmed their bowling attack will consist of ‘four seamers plus myself’. Stokes hailed Wood for ‘working incredibly hard’ and is optimistic about his partnership with Archer.

Steve Smith said he would have batted had he won the toss.

Barmy Army in full voice already

A cheer went up when Stokes revealed England would bat first, emphasising the healthy away support in the crowd. It was also something of a surprise given that Stokes has generally favoured bowling first throughout his tenure as captain.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 21: Australia captain Steve Smith and England captain Ben Stokes exchange teamsheets at the toss ahead of day one of the First 2025/26 Ashes Series Test Match between Australia and England at Perth Stadium on November 21, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Doggett and Starc to open for the Aussies?

That’s Ricky Ponting’s take, favouring the debutant over the more experienced Scott Boland as he’s ‘more of a new-ball bowler’.

Stuart Broad’s take on Stokes’s decision to bat

‘I was a little bit surprised, particularly with the team make-up, but I think it’s the right decision,’ Broad said, pointing out that Stokes is historically a bowl-first skipper. He also called it a brave call batting first without a spinner in the Lions XI.

The view from the Barmy Army’s pews

A historic moment for Australian cricket

Scott Boland has just presented Brendan Doggett with his baggy green cap on the field in Perth. Today marks the first time the home side has played two Indigenous players – Boland and Doggett – in the XI.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 19: Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett pose following an Australia nets session at Perth Stadium on November 19, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Prediction for how the pitch will behave

Last year’s Test between Australia and India at Perth Stadium saw 17 wickets fall on day one. Don’t look for a repeat of that today, with commentators comparing the current wicket to the strip on day two of last year’s series-opening contest – still plenty in it for the bowlers, but not as wild as last November, when India made 150 and Australia just 104 in their first innings.

A look at the fans outside the ground

Debutant Brendan Doggett’s heartwarming wake-up call before debut

The paceman – who will play his first Test for Australia after the injury to Josh Hazlewood – said he had a good night’s sleep despite having grounds to be up all night with nerves.

‘I woke up, opened the blinds, looked straight at Optus Stadium and I thought, “It’s here.” Quickly followed by my two-year-old asking me to play trucks and trains with him, so I was quickly brought back to life,’ he said.

England have arrived

Ben Stokes appears happy and confident as he leads the team into Perth Stadium…

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 21: Ben Stokes of England arrives ahead of day one of the First 2025/26 Ashes Series Test Match between Australia and England at Perth Stadium on November 21, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 21: England arrive ahead of day one of the First 2025/26 Ashes Series Test Match between Australia and England at Perth Stadium on November 21, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

England selection update after unusual move from the Three Lions

This is just in from Daily Mail cricket correspondent Lawrence Booth..

Mark Wood will take his place in a five-man fast-bowling attack after England left their selection late for this morning’s first Ashes Test in Perth. Unusually, the management had delayed their decision, in case they felt the pitch would get dryer as the game progressed and the off-breaks of Shoaib Bashir came into contention.

Instead, England will hit Australia with Wood – who will play his first Test since August 2024 – and Jofra Archer, with back-up from Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse and Ben Stokes.

The view from the Aussies’ five-star hotel

Marnus Labuschagne has given fans a look at the vista from his balcony at the Crown Towers hotel, just a short walk from Perth Stadium.

The team’s accommodation is among the finest in Australia, with stunning views of the city and surrounds, and suites that can cost as much as around $2000 a night.

TOP STORIES

Hot this week

Diana’s ex-hairdresser condemns ‘evil’ comments about Kate’s hair

Princess Diana's former hairdresser has condemned 'nasty' comments made about the Princess of Wales 's hair - as she stepped out with her newly blonde tresses.

The unusual breakfast request Princess Lilibet asks Meghan Markle for

Meghan Markle revealed her children's favourite meals and that she 'doesn't like baking' on the second season of her lifestyle show With Love, Meghan.

Experts reveal how many tins of tuna is safe to eat a week

The NHS advises people to eat at least two portions of fish a week, yet a recent investigation revealed toxic metals, including mercury, could be lurking in cans of tinned tuna sold in the UK.

Some people DO see ghosts – and medics say there’s an explanation

An astonishing third of people in the UK and almost half of Americans say they believe in ghosts, spirits and other types of paranormal activity.

Prince Philip’s nickname only his nearest and dearest could call him

From 'Lillibet' to 'Grandpa Wales', members of the Royal Family are known to go by many nicknames.

50 Serie A footballers and F1 star ‘caught up in prostitution scandal’

An illegal events promotion company is said to have offered a 'comprehensive' service worth thousands of euros for wealthy clients.

Emmerdale star took his own life after arrest over ‘sex assault’

The soap actor, 41, was found dead in his home on December 30 last year, a day after being questioned by Lancashire Police.

Man admits racially aggravated rape of Sikh woman he mistook as Muslim

John Ashby, 32, today changed his plea midway through a trial at Birmingham Crown Court to admit rape, intentional strangulation, religiously aggravated assault and robbery.

CIA officers killed in Mexico after nation’s ‘largest ever drug bust’

The CIA officers, who have not been named, were killed in the crash on Sunday in the state of Chihuahua along with two Mexican officials.

Emmerdale star took his own life after arrest over ‘sex assault’

The soap actor, 41, was found dead in his home on December 30 last year, a day after being questioned by Lancashire Police.

New ‘Hollywood dose’ pill: A-listers hooked on ‘youth elixir’

Insiders reveal that a growing number of A-listers are turning to a tiny pill...

Kate sports late Queen’s pearl earrings and necklace

Kate has paid tribute to the late Queen with her choice of outfit today as she attended a Buckingham Palace reception to mark what would have been Elizabeth II's 100th birthday.

JK Rowling calls Alastair Campbell ‘arrogant’ in gender row

The Harry Potter author, 60, took a swipe at the former spin doctor, as well as former cabinet minister Stewart, on X in response to a tweet by For Women Scotland.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img