England had a challenging start to the 2025 Ashes series against Australia as they struggled in the first test. The toss was won by Ben Stokes’ team, who chose to bat on a pitch seemingly favorable for batting. However, the Australian bowlers, led by Mitchell Starc, dominated England’s batting lineup. Zak Crawley was dismissed without scoring, and Joe Root failed to make an impact.
England ended their innings at 172 runs, facing an uphill battle. Jofra Archer provided a glimmer of hope for England by taking an early wicket. Debutant Jake Weatherald fell lbw to Archer’s delivery after a review.
Starc’s exceptional bowling performance set the tone for Australia’s dominance. He claimed crucial wickets, including that of Ben Stokes, finishing with impressive figures of 7-58. Starc’s display was reminiscent of Terry Alderman’s stellar start in the Ashes series back in 1981.
Despite some resistance from Ollie Pope and Harry Brook, England’s batting collapsed under pressure. Pope managed a score of 46 before being dismissed lbw by Cameron Green. Brook added valuable runs but could not prevent England’s tail-end collapse.
The focus now shifts to Joe Root, who faced early disappointment after falling to Starc for a duck. Root’s quest for a century in Australia continues, with England relying on him to deliver in the second innings.
Australia’s Steve Smith faced taunts from English supporters referencing the ball-tampering scandal of 2018 as he took to the field. The ongoing rivalry between the two teams adds an extra layer of intensity to the Ashes series.
For the latest updates on the Ashes series, fans can sign up for the newsletter The Cricket Drop. The matches will be broadcast live on TNT Sports via discovery+ or Prime Video.