The Ashes live cricket scores: Rampant Mitchell Starc rips though England’s top order in first Test
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
31st over - ENG 7-167
Brydon Carse gets off the mark with a four past gully as he drives away from the body.
Defends the rest
FIVE FOR STARC! Atkinson c Smith b Starc 1
Atkinson goes second ball!
Classic dismissal as he just slides the ball across Atkinson as he just fends it straight to Smith at second slip.
What a performance he’s having and England are sinking.
Doggett has a maiden Test wicket!
A huge breakthough! Doggett goes short and Brook goes to pull and Smith and Carey go up.
Umpires not interested and neither was Doggett to be fair but Smith reveiw without hesitation and Brook is walking off!
He couldn’t get the gloves out the way and there’s a clear spike. Huge moment
30th over - ENG 5-152
SHOT. Smith this time, nails the straight drive past Starc.
FOUR MORE. Short but not short enough as Smith splits sqaure and fine leg for another boundary.
50 for Harry Brook! Short ball and he just rolls the wrist for a single to square leg. It comes off just 58 balls.
FOUR MORE. 14 from the over as Scott Boland misfeilds at fine leg as his need digs into the turf trying to slide.
England bring up 150
29th over - ENG 5-138
FOUR. Smith stands tall and rides the bounce to pull off the front foot down the ground.
ALL RUN FOUR! Brook advances again and doesn’t quite time it to the long cover boundary.
28th over - ENG 5-129
Brook works four off his hips as Starc goes too straight.
SHOT! Best of the day as Brook just holds the head with a classical straight drive past the stumps.
Brook backs away to give himself room but ends up leacving the shorter ball.
27th over - ENG 5-121
Boland continues as Brook gets a single into the leg side.
Huge LBW shout and Smith reviews at the final moment. Height the issue?
No sliding down leg height was ok but hit him on middle but swining down.
FOUR. Through the slips but guided down with soft hands. Intentional
26th over ENG 5-115
Jamie Smith in averages more than 40 in Test cricket.
He does well not to fall over and block out another inswinger
WICKET Stokes b Starc 6
Starc continues from the Langer Stand end.
Stokes has been relatively watchful so far to start.
BOWLED HIM. STARC IS ON FIRE.
Stokes goes for the loose drive and the scrambled seam decks in and splatters his stumps.
Starc had four and England are in trouble!
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