England faced a challenging start in the initial test of the 2025 Ashes series against Australia. Ben Stokes’ team chose to bat after winning the toss on a pitch seemingly favorable for batting. However, the Australians, led by Mitchell Starc, dominated England’s batting lineup. Zak Crawley and Joe Root fell early, leaving England reeling at 172 all out.
Despite the setback, Jofra Archer shone for England by dismissing debutant Jake Weatherald early in Australia’s innings. Starc’s exceptional performance in the match stood out, with him taking crucial wickets, including that of England’s key players. The Australian bowler’s impressive display harkened back to Terry Alderman’s remarkable start in the Ashes series of 1981.
Starc’s prowess continued after lunch, with him claiming more wickets, including that of Ben Stokes. England’s hope now rests on a strong second innings, especially from Joe Root, who fell cheaply in the first innings. Ollie Pope and Harry Brook showed some resistance with the bat, but England’s lower order crumbled under pressure.
The Australian bowlers, missing key players due to injuries, set a high bar for England to overcome. Jofra Archer’s early breakthrough provided a glimmer of hope for the visitors. As the match unfolded, tensions rose, with verbal exchanges between players and supporters adding to the intensity of the contest.
The battle between England and Australia in the Ashes series promises more thrilling action ahead. Fans can catch all the live coverage on TNT Sports via discovery+ or Prime Video’s TNT Sports channel. Stay updated on the latest Ashes news by signing up for the newsletter, The Cricket Drop.