The Ashes 2025 series kicked off with a dramatic bang on Day 1 at Optus Stadium in Perth, where England opted to bat first but suffered a shocking collapse to 105/4 at lunch against a fiery Australian pace attack. Mitchell Starc’s blistering spell of 3/24 dismantled England’s top order early, leaving the visitors reeling, though Harry Brook’s resilient 28* offered a glimmer of hope in the intense England vs Australia rivalry. This opening session set the tone for a fiercely contested five-match Test series, with both the England cricket team and Australian men’s cricket team showcasing their strengths under the Perth sun.
Toss and Early Momentum for Australia
England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bat on a pitch known for its bounce and seam movement at Optus Stadium, marking the first time this venue hosts an Ashes Test. The decision backed England’s all-pace bowling lineup, including Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, and Mark Wood, to exploit similar conditions later. However, Australia’s bowlers, led by Starc, struck immediately, turning the Australia vs England encounter into a one-sided affair in the first session of the Ashes live action.
Starc, returning from a break, bowled with searing pace and precision, clocking speeds up to 144 kph to disrupt England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach. The left-armer’s fiery opening over tempted opener Zak Crawley into an edged drive, sending him back for a golden duck and handing Australia early control in the eng vs aus ashes 2025 opener. This wicket not only silenced the Barmy Army supporters but also highlighted Australia’s depth despite injuries to captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, with Steve Smith leading the side.
Starc’s Devastating Spell Tears Through Top Order
The shocking collapse intensified as Starc continued his dominance, trapping Ben Duckett lbw for 21 in the seventh over with a full inswinger that ended a brief 33-run partnership. Duckett had shown promise with four boundaries, but Starc’s accuracy left no room for error, putting England at 33/2 and amplifying the pressure in the aus vs eng test. England’s middle order, expected to fire with the likes of Joe Root, faced immediate scrutiny as the Australian men’s cricket team vs England cricket team players battled on a lively surface.
Joe Root, the world’s No.1 batter and long overdue for a big score in Australia, fell for another duck, edging a probing delivery straight to Marnus Labuschagne at third slip for Starc’s third wicket. This left England at 56/3, with the Ashes score reflecting a top-order meltdown that stunned fans tracking the england cricket team vs australian men’s cricket team match scorecard. Starc’s figures of 3/24 in a fiery first session underscored his 100th Ashes wicket, ripping through the top order and shifting momentum firmly to the hosts in the aus vs eng ashes 2025.
Pope and Brook’s Valiant Rebuild
Ollie Pope and Harry Brook stepped in to steady the innings, forging a crucial 55-run partnership that provided some respite amid the chaos. Pope, aggressive yet composed, reached 46 with elegant off-side drives, while Brook’s 28* came from watchful defense mixed with counter-attacks, fighting back against the probing lines from Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett. Their stand, which saw England add 49 runs after Root’s dismissal, kept the aus vs eng live score ticking and prevented a total rout before lunch.
However, the partnership ended dramatically just before the break, with Cameron Green removing Pope, leaving Ben Stokes on 4* to join Brook at the crease. England’s position at 105/4 highlighted the fine margins in Ashes cricket, where Brook’s resilience stood out as a potential turning point for the visitors. This session at Optus Stadium exemplified the brutal pace of modern Test cricket, with the eng vs aus test exposing vulnerabilities in England’s batting despite their revolutionary style.
Venue and Series Context
Optus Stadium, Perth’s premier cricket ground, lived up to its reputation with its true bounce and carry, hosting its inaugural Ashes match after previously dominating in other series like the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The venue’s history of heavy Australian victories in its five prior Tests added to the pressure on England, who arrived with high expectations under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. The ashes 2025 schedule features five Tests across Australia, starting with this clash, promising edge-of-the-seat action in the storied series.
England’s playing XI, featuring openers Crawley and Duckett, alongside stalwarts like Root, Pope, Brook, and Stokes, aimed to reclaim the urn lost in 2023. Australia, bolstered by Starc’s return and Smith’s leadership, fielded a potent attack including Green, Boland, and Doggett to compensate for absences. The match scorecard at lunch—England 105/4 (Pope 46, Brook 28*; Starc 3/24)—captures a session where Australia seized the psychological edge in the ashes series.
How to Watch Ashes 2025 in India
For Indian fans eager to follow the ashes live telecast in india, the series is broadcast on Star Sports Network, with comprehensive coverage starting at 7:50 AM IST for Day 1. Live streaming options abound via JioHotstar, allowing viewers to catch every ball of the ashes 2025 live streaming in india from mobile or desktop. The platform ensures HD quality for the aus vs eng live streaming, including highlights and replays for those tracking ashes live score updates.
Additional avenues like public digital screens in Australia extend the reach, but in India, JioHotstar remains the go-to for ashes streaming india, covering the full ashes 2025 where to watch needs. Whether searching for aus vs eng ashes live or eng vs aus live, these options make the rivalry accessible, with the ashes 2025 broadcast in india focusing on key moments like Starc’s blitz and Brook’s fightback. Fans can also access the ashes 2025 scorecard and live commentary on apps for real-time eng aus engagement.
Looking Ahead in the Ashes Rivalry
As the lunch break ends, England will rely on Brook and Stokes to rebuild against Australia’s unrelenting pace, potentially setting up a competitive total on this bouncy Perth pitch. The first session’s drama underscores the ashes cricket intensity, where individual brilliance like Starc’s can swing momentum in the aus v eng battle. With the series poised for twists, this england vs australia opener at Optus Stadium promises unforgettable moments in the 2025 edition.