The Ashes live cricket scores: England rattle through Australia to claim ascendancy in Perth
For the first time in its storied history, the Ashes starts in the west as Australia host England, with Perth set to ignite the biggest rivalry in sport.
England arrive ready to try their Bazball style for the first time in Australia, full of confidence, they cannot only win a Test but win the series Down Under for the first time since 2010-11.
Australia are without their two biggest weapons in Josh Hazlewood and captain Pat Cummins, with Jake Weatherald to make a debut in a new-look top order.
They will come to cover on a green look Optus Stadium pitch that is hosting its first ever Ashes Test.
Can England end their Aussie drought, or can an understrength Australia make a statement and ruin another wave of English optimism at its first shore?
Follow along below!
Key Events
FIVE-FER FOR STOKES!
Boland goes for a two-ball duck after nicking to second slip.
The umpires weren’t sure if the catch carried but replays comfirm the skipper’s five-wicket haul.
Another soft dimissal for a shambolic Aussie batting effort.
AUS 9-121
FALLEN FOR THE TRAP
Carey has fallen for a simple trap and Stokes has another one with nine minutes left in the day.
Stokes went short and Carey tried to ramp him to third man.
But Carse is back there on the fence for the catch and he swallows it.
Carey’s cry of “oh no” rings hollow as an 18th wicket falls.
AUS 8-121
AGAIN!
Australia are gifting Stokes wickets.
Starc tried to smack him over mid-on but closed the face of the bat and found the fielder.
We have reached 17 wickets for the first day as we did last year.
Australia trail by 54.
AUS 7-118
Hazlewood news
The news gets a little worse for the Aussies late on day one.
Reports suggest Hazlewood’s hamstring strain will keep him out of the second Test at the Gabba on December 4 after he misses here in Perth.
Cummins is a chance to return but selectors were keen to give him until Adelaide to get right.
AUS 6-112
Triple figures
A perfect cut shot to the rope brings the 100 up for Australia.
It was a nice shot from Carey who gave himself room to access the gap at cover.
He will need to stay agressive to wipe off the 72 runs England lead by with not much left in the sheds.
AUS 6-100
STINGING BLOW!
Cam Green has to go for 24 after looking the best of the Aussie batters.
He drove at a wide one from Stokes but the length was too short for the shot and he knicks it.
That’s two for Stokes and he’s done nothing special.
Mitchell Starc is now back in the middle after taking seven with the ball.
Australia trail by 89 runs.
AUS 6-83
HEAD FALLS SOFTLY
Travis Head has done all of the hard work to get to 21 and then falls to a length ball on his pads.
It was a nothing delivery from Stokes but the skipper has the knack of making breakthroughs.
Head tried to whip the ball onto the onside but chipped it straight to mid-on.
Costly wicket for Australia and Alex Carey is in at seven.
AUS 5-76
The skipper
Ben Stokes has turned to himself for his first spell of the innings as Green and Head start to find some flow.
Wood’s speed fell to 140km/h in his third over of his second spell and Green was able to punch a boundary down the ground.
If England snag another here they are well on top in this Test.
AUS 4-72
Smith v Jofra
It’s the match-up that could define the Ashes and we got a brilliant taste of the battle on day one in Perth.
Jackson Barrett explains why the pair could hold the key to the urn’s fate.
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