Ashes 2025-26.

[bigfluffylemon]

That looked plumb, surely?

[bigfluffylemon]

Yes, it was. Good review.

Archer v Smith. England need to win this.

[GarlicJam]

first two overs Aus have faced, I think bat has hit ball just the once each over.

[Durhamfootman]

So.... turns out Australia only needed one bowler, after all

perhaps the least surprising thing I've woken up to this year

[andy]

England have made a good start with the ball but these two riding it out things will get easier these two need to be gotten rid of quickly or big problems for England

[Arthur Crabtree]

Well done Mitch2. Carrying on from the last home Ashes. Great record at Perth too.

[andy]

Mark woods pace was ridiculous in that first spell...every ball I believe above 150kph....whether it lasts is another thing but wow gas!!!

Smith has been hit 3 times on the elbow already......khawaja seems to have an injury now as well...dunno what it is...? Chance Australia will have another new opened for the next test?!

[Durhamfootman]

into the final session of the day.... time for 8 more overs

[bigfluffylemon]

Archer actually living up to the hype. Bowling beautifully.

England not giving up just yet, thankfully.

[Durhamfootman]

and finally things are starting to happen. 2 new batters at the crease

seemingly by the end of over 14, only 2 balls out of 84 would have hit the stumps. Clearly that isn't the plan

[Durhamfootman]

and England have a 4th

SP said he thought Carse might be best suited to this pitch and Carse now has 2 in 4 balls

[Durhamfootman]

There can't be much more than an hour and a half left in the day, so only 6 overs for Australia to negotiate

[GarlicJam]

There can't be much more than an hour and a half left in the day, so only 6 overs for Australia to negotiate

it has not been fast, but it certainly has been entertaining.

[sussexpob]

Who would want to be a batter today? God its been tough out there for both sides

[sussexpob]

The negative part of me thinks England won't keep this barrage up for even most of this test, let alone 5 games. But I take my hat off to the new ball bowlers, defending a bad total they have come out and got England back in with a collectively hostile spell of bowling.

Even Atkinson was up at 147km/h at points, I dont think I have seen him in England get up past the 90 mark much at all.