England opt to bat first against Australia in Ashes opener
PERTH :England elected to bat first against Australia in the Ashes series opener on Friday after captain Ben Stokes won the toss under clear blue skies at Perth Stadium.
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England Ashes win in Australia would be defining moment, says McCullum
Reclaiming the Ashes on Australian soil would be a defining moment for England, head coach Brendon McCullum said as they gear up for the first test against Australia starting on Friday in Perth.
Smith fires back at Mastermind Panesar over 'Sandpapergate' comments
Steve Smith fired a comic counter-punch at former England spinner Monty Panesar when the subject of the 2018 Newlands ball-tampering scandal came up in his press conference on the eve of the Ashes opener on Thursday.
Chilled Smith ready to lead Australia into Ashes fire
SYDNEY :Steve Smith cut a relaxed figure when he named the Australia team for the opening clash in his ninth and possibly final Ashes series on Thursday, a far cry from the perpetual angst that used to be his hallmark at the crease.
Ashes battle lines drawn for Perth pace paradise
Australia and England wrapped up their Ashes preparations on Thursday with the home side showing their hand with a pair of debutants while the visitors kept their final XI under wraps for the series-opening test.
Weatherald and Doggett to debut for Australia in Ashes opener
Opening batter Jake Weatherald and pace bowler Brendan Doggett will make their debuts for Australia in the first Ashes clash in Perth on Friday, the first time since January 2019 that two new baggy green caps have been handed out before a single test.
Ashes triumph in Australia would be Stokes's crowning achievement
For a player who has pushed England to unprecedented heights, Ben Stokes will strap the team to his back once again and hope to carry the nation to its cricketing Everest: reclaiming the Ashes on Australian soil.
England name pace bowler Wood in squad for first Ashes test
England have included pace bowler Mark Wood in a 12-player squad announced on Wednesday for the first Ashes test against Australia.