19 h. ago Ben Stokes leads brilliant England bowling response on wild first day of Ashes

England were bowled out for 172 – but then reduced the hosts to 123 for nine by stumps in Perth.

Politics

21 h. ago Marnus Labuschagne confronts Brydon Carse as tempers flare in Ashes first Test

The Australia batter stepped down the pitch after an unsuccessful review from England as the hosts responded to a short first innings in Perth

Events

22 h. ago The bizarre reason why Usman Khawaja didn’t open the batting for Australia in first Ashes Test

Marnus Labuschagne joined debutant Jake Weatherald in the middle for the start of Australia’s innings after bowling out England for 172

Politics

2 w. ago Australia recall Marnus Labuschagne for Ashes with three uncapped players in first Test squad

Tasmania’s Weatherald or Labuschagne will replace the dropped Sam Konstas at the top of the order

Sport

2 w. ago Australia keep options open with Ashes squad selection containing few surprises | Geoff Lemon

The line-up for the Perth Test appears to be locked in after a question at the top of the order was answered and the dominoes tumbled further down In the end, there were few surprises. Even the most forgone conclusion of an Ashes squad will still create weeks of speculation one way or another, but answering one question at the top of the order has knocked over the other unresolved ones, tipping like dominoes as we make our way down the list.Barring injury, the only new player in the eventual XI will be Jake Weatherald, the 31-year-old Northern Territorian who in cricketing terms became a South Australian and then a Tasmanian, earning his place over severals seasons of unflashy consistency and a willingness to counterattack. Weatherald would not have made the squad if he were not going to open the batting, which means that Marnus Labuschagne, who was always going to make the team one way or another after getting his run-scoring groove back, will bat three rather than moonlighting at ...

Politics

2 w. ago Australia recall Marnus Labuschagne and include Jake Weatherald for Ashes opener

Tasmania’s Weatherald or Labuschagne will replace the dropped Sam Konstas at the top of the order.

Events

3 w. ago Crunch time nears for Australia as selectors try to fit Ashes batting puzzle pieces together | Martin Pegan

Plot twists have thrown up more uncertainty over which six batters will be included in the hosts’ squad just under a month out from the first TestThe Great Australian Bat Off has returned for a brand new season with fresh faces and forgotten favourites bidding to join the cast for the Ashes series opener. In a major subplot, captain Pat Cummins is officially out of the first Test and is all but certain to be replaced by understudy Scott Boland, while the final auditions to claim a spot in the squad will be staged across the Sheffield Shield matches that begin on Tuesday as much as the T20 series against India.The main storyline will be familiar to seasoned fans as the Australia selectors largely repeat last year’s search for an opener to partner Usman Khawaja. But the return to form of Marnus Labuschagne, and injury concerns for Cameron Green and Beau Webster, are plot twists that have thrown up more uncertainty over which six batters will be included for the Perth Test. Continue re...

Politics