England Suffer Historic Defeat in Perth Ashes Opener
PERTH, Australia – England endured a crushing defeat at the hands of Australia in the first Ashes Test in Perth, falling to the hosts within three days and marking one of their most swift and comprehensive losses in Test history. Australia bowled England out twice in a mere 67.3 overs, a feat not seen as 1904.
The defeat raises questions about England’s approach as they head to Brisbane for the second Test, despite assurances from captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum that the core squad will remain largely unchanged.
the match unfolded rapidly after Australia posted a formidable first-innings total of 445.England, batting without Ravichandran Ashwin due to a family emergency, could only muster 224-2 in response. This pattern of falling short in challenging chases continued a recent trend; earlier this year, England failed to secure victory despite strong performances from Harry Brook and Joe Root while chasing 73 against India at The Oval.
Australia capitalized on the momentum, with Mitchell Starc claiming 10 wickets throughout the match, showcasing particular skill with the pink ball. The victory was further sweetened by the return to form of usman Khawaja, who facilitated Travis Head’s opening batting position, earning him national hero status after initial criticism regarding his back injury.
The win also provided a boost to Australia’s morale following a period of scrutiny, sparked by a ropey first-day performance that drew criticism from the West Australian newspaper, which labelled the England team as “crybabys, arrogant and cocky.” The turnaround was evident in the post-match celebrations, with stand-in captain Steve Smith playfully slapping Head on the back – a scene reminiscent of the 2017 brisbane Test and the Jonny Bairstow headbutt incident involving Smith and Cameron Bancroft.
Looking ahead, Australia holds a notable advantage heading into the day-night second Test in Brisbane, a format in which they rarely lose. They also have the luxury of managing Pat Cummins’ return from injury, with no immediate pressure to rush him back into the side. England, meanwhile, will have limited preparation under lights, with only one scheduled training session in Brisbane, opting instead to prioritize team unity and morale with a week off and a round of golf.
