Tag: Ashes 2025

BRISBANE: England captain Ben Stokes was among three cricketers who could face police action after riding e-scooters without helmets, The Telegraph reported on Monday.

England arrived in Brisbane ahead of the pink-ball Ashes Test on Wednesday after losing the opening match of the series inside two days.

According to the report, England’s fast bowler Mark Wood, wicket-keeper Jamie Smith, and Stokes rode through the streets of Brisbane and were pictured riding the bike without helmets.

“Some players, such as captain Ben Stokes, have been getting out and about in Brisbane and using Lime e-scooters to see the city,” the report wrote.

“However, it is a legal requirement in Queensland that all riders of e-scooters must wear a helmet, and Stokes, Mark Wood, and Jamie Smith were pictured appearing to flout that law. Smith’s scooter even had a helmet attached to it,” it added.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The pacer Wood, who is already ruled out of the second Test due to an injury, was seen with heavy protective strapping on his knee.

As per Queenlands’s road rule, riders without a helmet could face a fine of up to 166 Australian dollars (£82).

For the unversed, this isn’t the first time English cricketers have risked drawing the ire of Australian authorities. During the 2010-11 tour— Kevin Pietersen was fined A$239 for speeding in a Lamborghini on the outskirts of Melbourne.

Nonetheless, England are 1-0 down after losing the Ashes opener by eight wickets at Perth, courtesy of Travis Head’s blistering century.

Head hit a whirlwind 69-ball century and went on to make 123 off just 83 balls, which made a mockery of England’s 205-run target.

The second day-night Ashes Test will commence on Thursday, with three lions eyeing their first victory against Australia down under since 2010.

READ: England urged to ‘use their brains’ ahead of second Ashes Test

Legendary cricketer Geoffrey Boycott has called on England players to ‘use their brains’ as Ben Stokes’ side aims for a win in the second pink-ball Ashes Test.

Former opener Boycott spoke about England’s attacking ‘go big or go home’ approach, noting that while it has often paid off, it has also led to failures.

“But it doesn’t help our chances of success if Ben Stokes keeps encouraging our batsmen to attack, attack with one finger hovering over the self-destruct button,” Boycott wrote in his Daily Telegraph column.

He emphasized that the players should take more responsibility, noting that they should play positively but according to the situation.

“Nobody is asking the players to stop being positive because they have given us some marvellous, thrilling, and entertaining cricket. All we ask is for them to use their brains and realise there are times when they should throttle back and be aware of situations and bat accordingly,” he said.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Geoffrey Boycott also addressed the England captain’s remarks regarding past players.

The remarks from the former opener came after Stokes called the retired players ‘has-beens’ for criticising his side’s approach.

“To call past players ‘has-beens’ was disrespectful, especially as some of those ‘has-beens’ played in teams that won the Ashes in England and Australia,” said Boycott.

“I am glad Ben has half apologised, saying it was a slip of the tongue, because none of this team have won the Ashes in Australia. Get the job done, because then you don’t need to say anything and you can bask in all the glory coming your way,” the 85-year-old concluded.

The second day-night Ashes Test will commence on Thursday, with England eyeing their first victory against Australia down under since 2010.

The three-lions are 1-0 down in the five-match series after a thumping eight-wicket loss to Australia inside two days in Perth.

READ: Moeen Ali also set to feature in PSL 2026 after Faf du Plessis

BRISBANE: Marnus Labuschagne has publicly backed embattled opener Usman Khawaja ahead of the second Ashes Test, shutting down speculation that he could move up the order even if Australia decide to make changes at the top.

Khawaja endured a difficult outing in the opening Test against England in Perth, managing just two runs across the match while also battling back spasms that kept him off the field for significant periods.

England’s first-innings collapse meant he did not get the chance to open as scheduled, and when he walked out at No.4, he was dismissed cheaply by Brydon Carse

His movement in the field was restricted again on the second day, where he recovered enough to take a sharp catch at first slip to dismiss Harry Brook before his back flared up once more while attempting another chance off Jamie Smith.

The situation has intensified scrutiny on Khawaja’s form, with the left-hander averaging just over 31 since the end of the 2023 Ashes and registering only one century over that period.

The conversation gained further traction after Travis Head smashed a match-winning hundred as a stand-in opener, reigniting talk of a possible long-term change at the top of the order.

Speaking at The Gabba on Monday, Labuschagne dismissed the narrative that Khawaja needs guidance or replacement at this stage.

“I think Usman is a high-quality player and I don’t think he needs advice,” Labuschagne told reporters.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

He praised the veteran’s record, longevity and adaptability, highlighting his consistency since returning to the Test side in 2021 and describing him as the backbone of the batting unit.

“You look at his record, 85 Tests and what he’s done for Australian cricket, especially since his comeback in 2021,” he added.

“He’s been super consistent; he’s been really the rock [in] the top there. I think there’s been a lot of talk about how many opening partners he’s had over his time.

“The way he’s gone about his game, the way he’s gone from a No. 3, 4 and then opened the batting, navigated some tricky scenarios, he’s just been awesome.”

Marnus Labuschagne also stressed that selection decisions rest solely with the management and that his focus remains on contributing in his own role.

“I think whatever happens is up to the people above my pay grade and what they deem is the best way for us to win the game and win this series. I think it’s just game by game and you work out what’s your best team,” he further stated.

READ: Three Pakistan stars secure deals in BPL 2025–26 auction

England ace batter Joe Root on Sunday shared his thoughts on the necessity of pink-ball Tests in an Ashes series.

Root, who will be eyeing his first Test century in Australia in the second Ashes Test at Brisbane, admitted Australia’s strong record in pink-ball matches.

“It does add to things. It’s successful and popular here, and Australia have got a good record here as well. You can see why we’re playing one of those games,” he said.

Notably, Australia have won 13 of 14 matches under lights.

“Ultimately, you know from two years out it is going to be there. It’s part and parcel of making sure you’re ready for it,” he continued.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“A series like this, does it need it? I don’t think so, but it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be here either.”

He also expressed confidence in getting a big score, stating that he is good enough to make runs in Australia.

“I know if I get time out there and I make good decisions for long periods of time, I’m going to be successful,” Root said.

“I know that I’m a good player, it’s just about putting that into the games out here,” the right-hander concluded.

In contrast to Root, Australia batter Travis Head downplayed the idea of not having a Pink-Ball Test and said it’s an incredible sight with big crowds coming in, and the team that emerges victorious does not have any problem.

“Pink ball, white ball, red ball – who really cares? Does it need it, does it not? It’s a great spectacle, and we’re going to have huge crowds again,” Head said.

“If you win, you think it’s great. If you lose, maybe not. Both teams may have differing opinions by the end of it. I think it’s great for the game,” the left-hander continued.

Travis Head stated about the different formats of international cricket, noting that the five-day game works the same way, just with a differently coloured ball and a unique atmosphere.

“We talk about T20, T10, and you see all these different formats. It still works the same way. It’s still five days, it’s just with a slightly different coloured ball and it brings a different atmosphere.”

READ: Rohit Sharma breaks Shahid Afridi’s world record

BRISBANE: England fast bowler Mark Wood is expected to miss the second Ashes Test against Australia at The Gabba as team management looks to carefully manage his recovery, according to a report by ESPNcricinfo.

The decision comes as England aim to preserve their express pacer for the remainder of the Ashes series after his long return from injury.

Wood featured in the opening Test in Perth, which England lost inside two days, marking his first competitive appearance in nearly nine months following knee surgery for medial ligament damage earlier this year.

The 35-year-old bowled 11 overs in that match and was notably absent from England’s first training session in Brisbane on Saturday, the only member of the touring party not present at Allan Border Field.

During the Perth Test, Wood himself admitted in a television interview that he was unlikely to play all five matches of the series.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

He had already been under a fitness cloud before the opening Test after experiencing tightness in his left hamstring during a warm-up fixture at Lilac Hill.

Despite that, he proved his readiness in the nets and delivered in the match with trademark pace, including a 150kph bouncer that struck Cameron Green on the grille.

With England trailing 1-0 in the series, Mark Wood is expected to be rested for the pink-ball Test, with a possible return pencilled in for the third Test in Adelaide.

Josh Tongue is the leading candidate to replace him, while Matthew Potts also remains in contention.

READ: Ehtesham Ahmed becomes first from Pakistan to earn MCC’s 100-match cap

BRISBANE: England captain Ben Stokes said on Saturday that lessons had been learned from their crushing first Ashes Test defeat to Australia in Perth, but that the team had moved on.

Australia took a 1-0 lead in the five-match Ashes series with a stunning eight-wicket win in a frenetic two-day clash in Perth characterised by batting collapses and Travis Head’s match-winning 123.

In the aftermath, England was slammed as “brainless” and even “arrogant” by former greats for their meek performance after putting themselves in a strong position to win.

“We’ve talked about it, and we’ve moved on,” Stokes said in Brisbane ahead of the second day-night Test starting on Thursday. “We had some good conversations around the group.”

“Look, Travis played an amazing knock, there’s no hiding away from that,” he said. “But that’s not the overriding contribution as to why we didn’t end up getting the result.”

Ben Stokes noted there were “amazing things throughout that Test match.”

“The way that we bowled in the first innings … and we ended up putting a score on the board that we believed was definitely defendable,” he said.

“But we all know there were moments in that game where we could have been a lot better to help us gain even more of an advantage that we did have.

“We know that, and we understand that. And the important thing that you need to do from that as a team and as individuals is learning from that.”

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

England face a daunting task at the Gabba in Brisbane to level the series with Australia, masters of pink-ball Tests, winning 13 out of 14 matches under lights.

Despite England having a much more mixed record, management opted against any of their main players being part of a two-day day-night clash against a Prime Minister’s XI this weekend in Canberra.

The decision was slammed as “amateurish” by former Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan, who added that he was “staggered” that they would turn down the opportunity.

Stokes said he understood the blowback, but defended the move with England instead scheduling extra training sessions in Brisbane.

“That’s where it is, it’s in Canberra, which is a different state,” he said.

“The (weather) conditions are obviously going to be completely different to what we’ve got coming up.

“So what you try and do is you try and take all the factors into consideration, the pros, the cons, whatever it may be, and then you always discuss that and decide what it is that we think is going to be our best preparation.

“We know that we are doing everything that we can to make sure that we are best prepared for this game,” he added.

READ: Abu Dhabi T10 playoffs schedule confirmed as top four teams seal their spots

BRISBANE: Skipper Pat Cummins was left out of an unchanged Australia squad named on Friday for the day-night second Ashes Test against England, set to commence on 4 December.

The Australian skipper continues his battle against injury; meanwhile, under-pressure opener Usman Khawaja managed to keep his place in the line-up for the pink-ball Test.

Star paceman Josh Hazlewood was also absent, as expected, as he continues his recovery from a hamstring problem.

Cummins has not played since picking up a lower back injury against the West Indies four months ago.

He missed the rapid-fire opening Test in Perth that Australia won by eight wickets inside two days, but has been at full pace in the nets in recent weeks and said last weekend he was “half a chance” to play in Brisbane.

But selectors are clearly taking no chances with the 32-year-old, who will now be targeting the third Test in Adelaide on December 17.

It means Steve Smith will remain captain while Brendan Doggett is set to once more lead the attack with Perth 10-wicket hero Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland, on what is expected to be another fast track.

The Gabba Test gets underway on December 4 with Australia looking to ram home their advantage and take a 2-0 lead in the five-Test series.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Despite missing out, Cummins will travel to Brisbane to continue his preparations, Cricket Australia said.

Khawaja made the squad amid mounting calls for the veteran to be dumped.

The 38-year-old, who has not made a Test hundred on home soil since January 2023, failed to open in either innings in Perth because of back spasms.

He was replaced at the top alongside Jake Weatherald initially by Marnus Labuschagne, and then by Travis Head in the second innings.

Head, who usually comes in at five but opens in white-ball cricket, seized the opportunity with all guns blazing, slamming an incredible 123 from just 83 balls to drive Australia to victory.

Whether Khawaja keeps his spot in the XI remains to be seen, with Australia not expected to finalise their starting side until the eve of the clash.

Should selectors stick with Head and axe Khawaja, it could open the door to in-form allrounder Beau Webster and a handy extra bowling option.

Australia squad for second Ashes Test

Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster

READ: Arshad Nadeem sets sights on Asian, Commonwealth Games

Australia’s dynamic batter Travis Head has admitted that his 69-ball century in the first Ashes Test provoked England’s fiery fast bowlers.

Head, the makeshift opener, made a mockery of England’s attack in the first Test with a whirlwind century that not only helped his side chase down a 205-run target but also flattened the Three Lions’ attack on a pitch that had very little for batters.

The southpaw made 123 from just 83 balls at Optus Stadium, Perth, striking four sixes and 16 fours.

Speaking during a radio program, Head revealed insights into his knock and said how his assault on the quicks, Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, unraveled.

“I’m also very realistic as well that they had two blokes bowling 150 clicks,” Head told Triple M in Adelaide.

“I accidentally hit Jofra [Archer] back over his head for six at one point and calmly walked back and marked centre and was like, ‘Oh my god, why did I just do that?’ he revealed.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

He further talked about his chat with batting partner Marnus Labuschagne, who also hit a half-century in pursuit of the target.

“And Marnus came down and was like, ‘I know you’re trying to act cool, but that’s unbelievable’ and he’s yelling and screaming, and he’s hoo hah-ing, and I’m like, ‘Mate, get back to the other end, at any moment they can put a hole through me, they bowl 150 clicks’,” Head explained.

The 31-year-old acknowledged the fact that his early charge on fast bowlers could entice them for the rest of the series.

“I don’t want to get on the bad side of them, especially [in] the first Test. I don’t want to get on the wrong side of these blokes, I just want to go about my business,” Head said.

The second Ashes Test will be played under lights at the Gabba from 4 December.

READ: Gavaskar wants ‘post-mortem’ after India’s whitewash

The Perth Stadium pitch that hosted the first Ashes Test was rated “very good” by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday, despite the game finishing in just two days.

Under the governing body’s four-tier rating system, “very good” is the highest possible, characterising a pitch with “good carry, limited seam movement, and consistent bounce early in the match”.

This, the ICC said, allowed “for a balanced contest between batters and bowlers”.

Australia took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series with an eight-wicket win in a frantic Test that saw 19 wickets fall on day one.

England were skittled for 172 with Mitchell Starc taking 7-58 before Australia collapsed to 121-9 at stumps.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Day two saw another flurry of wickets as England were bowled out for 164 before Travis Head’s incredible 123 off 83 balls guided Australia to victory.

Cricket Australia’s head of cricket, James Allsopp, said the rating justified “our belief Perth Stadium produced a pitch that provided a fair balance between bat and ball”.

“The dominance of some brilliant pace bowling from both sides and the frenetic nature of the contest meant the match lasted only two days,” he added.

“This was disappointing for fans holding tickets for days three and four, but we saw some incredible moments which captivated huge viewing audiences and will inspire even more kids to pick up a bat and ball this summer.”

The day-night second Test begins in Brisbane on December 4, with the wicket at the Gabba also traditionally fast and bouncy.

READ: Akif Javed’s three-fer sets up easy win for Ajman Titans in Abu Dhabi T10

BRISBANE: Australian spearhead Mitchell Starc is on the verge of breaking the record of Pakistan’s iconic pacer Wasim Akram during the upcoming Ashes Test against England.

Since making his Test debut in 2011, Starc has claimed 412 wickets in 101 matches over a remarkable 14-year career.

He now needs just two more wickets to equal Akram’s tally of 414, the benchmark for left-arm fast bowlers in Test cricket.

Most Wickets in Test cricket by Left-Arm Pacers:

Player	Team	Matches	Wickets
Wasim Akram	Pakistan	104	414
Mitchell Starc	Australia	101	412*
Chaminda Vaas	Sri Lanka	111	355
Trent Boult	New Zealand	78	317
Mitchell Johnson	Australia	73	313

The 35-year-old’s pursuit of this milestone comes as he continues to solidify his place among the all-time greats of the game.

During the opening Ashes Test at Perth, he almost single-handedly spearheaded Australia’s depleted pace attack, taking 7 for 58 in the first innings and finishing with ten wickets in the match to dismantle England.

Overall, 2025 has been a phenomenal year for the left-armer, who has picked up 39 wickets at an average of just 15.71.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

If he maintains this form in the upcoming second Ashes Test starting on December 4, Starc has a perfect opportunity to surpass Akram.

Achieving six wickets in the match could see him climb from 17th to 15th on the list of all-time Test wicket-takers, overtaking Akram (414) and India’s Harbhajan Singh (417).

READ: WTC points table after South Africa’s series win over India