The Independent Voice of West Indies Cricket
Venue: Perth Stadium, Perth
Australia (Playing XI):
Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith(c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(w), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland
England (Playing XI):
Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Jamie Smith(w), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood
England have won the toss and have opted to bat
What to expect:
The Test pitches in Perth have generated immense interest for decades, firstly at the WACA and even more so at the Perth Stadium. While it always does start off with a green tinge on top, there's also enough moisture that needs to be left on top by curator Isaac Mcdonald to ensure that the harsh Perth sun doesn't dry it out too quickly for then cracks to start making an appearance, which it does inevitably, and is one of the reasons why Nathan Lyon has such good numbers here. The next few days aren't expected to be as hot as last summer, when the surface did get baked significantly. But as history suggests, batting first is the way to go here, even for Stokes, it would mean going against his own principles. Making it an even more intriguing prospect than it already is.
Dem men (OZ) debuting 2 30+ and one a fast-bowler to boot!
Can't see how they left out Webster.
@Narper
England have won the toss and have opted to bat
England (Playing XI): Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Jamie Smith(w), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood
Australia (Playing XI): Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith(c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(w), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland
out Caught by Khawaja!! Mitchell Starc strikes! Not off the first ball but in the first over for sure! Mitchell Starc is up and running as he roars in delight! Good channel bowling from Mitchell Starc and he has got the reward.
DUCK
ENG 0-1
oh d shit.😀
England’s first opening stand on a tour to Australia since 2010/11
0 Strauss & Cook Brisbane 2010/11
28 Cook & Carberry Brisbane 2013/14
2 Cook & Stoneman Brisbane 2017/18
0 Burns & Hameed Brisbane 2021/22
0 Crawley & Duckett Perth 2025/26
Brendan Doggett, 31-year-old fast bowler test debutant for Australia. You would never see such a thing in West Indies cricket.
Nice media buildup, excellent crowd…awww test cricket.
The West Indian will bowl perhaps tomorrow.
Day 1: Lunch Break
ENG 105 /4 (23) CRR:4.57
Ben Stokes 4(7)
Harry Brook 28(41)
Mitchell Starc 8-4-24-3
23.1
Boland to Brook, no run, well bowled! On a back of a length in the channel outside off,
23.2
Boland to Brook, SIX, what a shot! Audacity at its best!Brook dances down the track and moves leg-side in the process. He converts it into a half-volley and smashes it over deep extra. Not an easy shot to play against a seamer but he makes it look easy
24.5
Mitchell Starc to Stokes, out Bowled!! Knocked him over! There's that inward curl again and Stokes gets bamboozled. Starc picks up a 4-fer and he is really charged up! 140.9kph length delivery in the channel, seams in after landing, Stokes tries to drive on the up but leaves a bat-pad gap and the ball goes right through
Stokes b Mitchell Starc 6(12)
