17 h. ago Travis Head’s devastating knock gives Australia’s selectors a dilemma

Test-winning century and Usman Khawaja’s bad back make strong case for the stand-in opener to lead Australia’s innings againAccidents do not come much happier. Usman Khawaja’s mid-game back problem was annoying for the player and potentially damaging for his team, until it wasn’t. Clearing out the regular dry-powder opener created space in the final stanza of the Perth Test, allowing Travis Head to finish off England with the gory certainty and splatter count of a Mortal Kombat fatality move. Sometimes you mash the buttons and it all just works.Consider an Ashes innings of 123 from 83 balls, on a bouncy pitch where two other players nudged 50, in an effort that did not just win the match, but has sent the opposition into a demoralising tailspin. So the fortuitous success creates a quandary about what to do next. Continue reading...

Politics

48 h. ago Brendon McCullum tells England fans to ‘keep the faith’ after losing first Test

The tourists are picking up the pieces after an eight-wicket thrashing in the Perth opener, the first two-day finish to an Ashes clash since 1921.

Politics

3 d. ago Michael Vaughan: England can’t afford to waste practice match for second Test

Ben Stokes’ side were humbled in the opening Ashes Test in Perth after a second-innings collapse.

Politics

4 d. ago Mitchell Starc actions in Ashes speak volumes as England crumble after Steve Smith digs

England were bowled out for 172 on the opening day of the first Ashes Test against Australia in Perth, with Mitchell Starc taking seven wickets for the hosts

Politics

4 d. ago What Mitchell Starc did in the Ashes spoke volumes as England collapse amid Steve Smith jibes

England won the toss and opted to bat at the Perth Stadium on the opening day of the Ashes series

Politics

6 d. ago Starc says Australia players upset at Ashes opener’s move from ‘Gabbatoir’ to Perth

Starc: ‘They don’t listen – we would have liked Brisbane’Groundsman says wicket not affected by Metallica gigMitchell Starc has admitted that Australia’s players are upset at the decision to shift the opening Ashes Test from its traditional home of Brisbane’s Gabba – nicknamed “the Gabbatoir” because of its reputation as the graveyard of touring sides, and a ground where England have won just two of their last 20 games dating back to 1946 – to Perth Stadium.Asked whether his side could expect to enjoy a similar advantage at the game’s new home, Starc said: “We’ll find out in a week, won’t we? They don’t listen to the players, we would have liked to start in Brisbane, too.” England’s Gus Atkinson meanwhile said that though “there are no scars for me” from his country’s previous failures in Brisbane given he is a first-time Ashes tourist, “history would say it’s probably a good thing we’re not starting at the Gabba”. Continue reading...

Sport

6 d. ago A monument to answered prayer begins to rise in a secularizing England

Richard Gamble’s passion for Jesus has always been outsized

Politics

7 d. ago ‘Absolutely rapid’ Mark Wood hands England boost before Ashes opener

There is renewed optimism in the camp that the quickest bowler in the country could be ready for Friday’s Perth opener

Politics

7 d. ago ‘I’m praying for them’: Why England’s Ashes may hinge on Perth opener

Interview: ‘If you go 1-0 down in Australia, you’re generally toast,’ explains Ashes winner Chris Tremlett as England aim to win down under for the first time in 24 years

Politics

1 week ago Josh Hazlewood ruled out for first Ashes Test in huge blow for Australia as England given Mark Wood boost

Hazlewood, who has a hamstring injury, joins captain Pat Cummins in missing the series opener in Perth

Politics

1 week ago Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood ruled out for first Ashes Test

Hazlewood and Pat Cummins will both miss the series opener in Perth.

Politics

2 w. ago Pat Cummins provides update on injury recovery as Australia captain reveals Ashes plan

Cummins has been ruled out of the opening Test against England in Perth

Events

3 w. ago ‘An awful moment’: Sarina Wiegman says Agyemang injury ‘doesn’t look good’

Forward injured in England’s 3-0 win over AustraliaBeever-Jones: ‘I will be praying she will be OK’Sarina Wiegman said she was “not feeling very positive” about the extent of the knee injury suffered by forward Michelle Agyemang in England’s 3-0 defeat of Australia.The 19-year-old forward, on loan at Brighton from Arsenal, slammed the Pride Park pitch in agony after going down off the ball, prompting teammates and medical staff to rush to her side. She exited on a stretcher, with a concerned Wiegman speaking to her as she was taken down the tunnel. Continue reading...

Events

4 w. ago Steve Smith to captain Australia in First Ashes Test as Pat Cummins ruled out

Cummins will not recover from back injury in time for next month’s series opener against England in Perth

Politics