Ashes 2025-26: England face potential first Test defeat after Perth collapse
England collapse from 65-1 to 164 all out as Australia set 205 to win the opening Ashes Test in Perth.
Australia need 205 to win the first Ashes Test after England's second-day collapse in Perth.
On a fast, lively Perth Stadium pitch, England slid from 65-1 to 104-7 after lunch as Australia’s bowlers surged back into the contest.
England's innings unravelled with six wickets for 39 runs in 11 overs, continuing a dramatic start to the series at the venue.
Mitchell Starc claimed the first 10-wicket Ashes haul for Australia since Shane Warne, supported by Scott Boland's return to form.
Yet the momentum swung when Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse added 50 from 34 balls for the eighth wicket, lifting England to 164 all out. The pair struck two sixes apiece before the last three wickets fell for 10.
Earlier, Australia were bowled out for 132 in the seventh over of the day, setting England a chase requiring the highest fourth-innings total of the match to win.
England initially recovered from Zak Crawley's duck, with a 65-run stand between Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope. But the lunch session sparked carnage as Boland unsettled Duckett and then induced Pope to poke to second slip.
Boland followed up with another over that derailed England: Pope edged to slip, then Joe Root fell to a drive that clipped the stumps, and Ben Stokes went on to survive five overs with Jamie Smith before falling to Starc.
Smith, previously dropped by Khawaja at first slip, was later ruled to have gloved a leg-side ball down off Doggett after a lengthy review.
On a pitch showing bounce and unevenness, Atkinson and Carse kept England ticking before Australia responded with discipline: Atkinson pulled Starc into the stands twice; Carse top-edged Doggett and then smashed Boland back over his head. Carse fell for 20, Archer followed for a duck, and Atkinson was dismissed for 37 by Boland.
Australia captain Usman Khawaja again did not open the batting, spending more time off the field, while Nathan Lyon is managing a hip issue as the day ends.
With a lead from the first innings, Australia will aim to post a substantial total in their second innings to set England a challenging target in Perth.
Further updates will follow as the Perth Test unfolds.
England's middle-order fragility again cost them, while Australia looks to press home a commanding reply in a pace-dominated Perth day. Source: BBC Sport
Explore useful articles in Sports News as of 22-11-2025. The article titled " Ashes 2025-26: England face potential first Test defeat after Perth collapse " offers in-depth analysis and practical advice in the Sports News field. Each article is carefully crafted by experts to provide maximum value to readers.
The " Ashes 2025-26: England face potential first Test defeat after Perth collapse " article expands your knowledge in Sports News, keeps you informed about the latest developments, and helps you make well-informed decisions. Each article is based on unique content, ensuring originality and quality.