England faced a challenging start in the initial test of the 2025 Ashes series against Australia. Opting to bat after winning the toss, Ben Stokes’ team struggled against the Australian bowling attack led by Mitchell Starc. England’s batting lineup crumbled, with Zak Crawley and Joe Root falling early on.

After getting bowled out for 172 runs, England found a glimmer of hope through Jofra Archer’s impressive bowling performance. Archer made an impact by dismissing debutant Jake Weatherald early in Australia’s innings. Starc’s exceptional bowling display dominated the day, overshadowing England’s struggles at the crease.

Starc’s early success mirrored a historic start to an Ashes series, reminiscent of Terry Alderman’s exceptional performance in 1981. The Australian bowler continued his dominance, claiming key wickets including that of Ben Stokes and Joe Root, leaving England reeling.

Despite some resistance from Ollie Pope and Harry Brook, England’s batting lineup faltered under pressure, with Cameron Green dismissing Pope after a promising knock. As Australia asserted their dominance, England’s hopes now rest on a strong second innings performance, especially from star batsman Joe Root.

The intense rivalry between the two teams was further fueled by off-field controversies, with Steve Smith facing taunts from English supporters referencing past scandals. As the battle for Ashes glory unfolds, cricket fans can catch all the live action on TNT Sports via discovery+ or Prime Video’s TNT Sports channel.