England’s 2025-26 tour of Australia began at a new Ashes venue, Perth’s state-of-the-art Optus Stadium. As revealed by Telegraph Sport last July, England have been spared a series opener at the Gabba in Brisbane, where they have not won a Test since November 1986 and have so often got off to dreadful starts in the Ashes.

Veteran quick Mitchell Starc was in devastating form, taking a career-best 7-58. But by the close, Ben Stokes was bouncing through Australian batters — and then the celebrations of his England team-mates — to bag 5-23 himself to ensure the visitors sleep well ahead of tomorrow’s second day, when Australia will resume on 123 for nine.

Australia closed on 123-9 in reply to England being dismissed for 172 in a dramatic start to the Ashes; Ben Stokes took a five-for to lead the tourists fightback; England have not won a Test in Austra

The England captain delivered a sensational display with the ball to ignite hopes of a famous Ashes victory in the first Test in Perth, but his strategy helped the tourists seize the moment on day one

An astonishing day in Perth saw 19 wickets fall as batters crumpled in the face of breathless pace on the quickest track in world cricket

BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything looks ahead to the second Test of the 2025-26 Ashes series and what the session times are.

ESPNcricinfo UK editor Andrew Miller buckles up to recount the big moments that kept England fans going through the small hours

Ben Stokes starred with a sensational five-wicket haul on a dramatic Ashes opening day in Perth, where a staggering 19 wickets tumbled. England, bowle

Josh Hazelwood in white-ball cricket has been Australia’s stand-out bowler. It is a big opportunity for England. Scott Boland has a record here - up there with the greats. Mitchell Starc is one of these modern greats. Brendan Doggett is at the start in domestic cricket.

Alastair Eykyn and Rob Hatch are better known for commentating on rugby and cycling but are helming coverage of the Ashes this winter