England eye first Test win in Australia since 2011: Preview
What's the story
The highly anticipated Ashes series between England and Australia is set to kick off on November 21 at Perth Stadium, with a sold-out crowd eagerly awaiting the first ball. England, who eye their first Test win Down Under in over a decade, are set with a power-packed side. Meanwhile, Australia will miss the injured Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. Steve Smith will lead the Aussies in Perth.
Match details
Pitch report, weather, and streaming details
According to the Perth pitch curator, Isaac McDonald, the pitch will have plenty of pace and bounce, as has been the case in Western Australia. Meanwhile, the weather in Perth has been cool and is expected to remain the same. There is also a possibility of light rain over the next few days. The match, starting at 7:50am IST, will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network, while JioHotstar will provide the live streaming (app and website).
Record
A look at head-to-head record
Australia and England have locked horns in 361 Tests so far, with Australia winning 152. While England have won 112 games, 97 of those have been drawn. Notably, England have lost 99 of their 185 Tests in Australia, winning 57 and drawing 29. Since the start of this century, Australia have hosted England in 30 Tests. The rivalry is lop-sided as England have lost 23 of those Tests, winning only four. Three Tests ended in a draw.
Ashes urn
England's dismal record in Australia
The Ashes urn has been with Australia since the 2017/18 edition Down Under, which they won 4-0. England lost the 2021/22 series in Australia by a 4-0 margin, while the 2019 and 2023 series in England were drawn (2-2). Notably, England last won a Test in Australia in January 2011. They were routed 5-0 by the Aussies in the 2013/14 series.
Australia
Australia to miss Hazlewood, Cummins
As mentioned, the absence of both Hazlewood and Cummins could hurt Australia. Therefore, Mitchell Starc will have an added responsibility along with Scott Boland. Australia, led by Steve Smith, have already named their Playing XI, with two debutants. Australia XI: Jake Weatherald, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (captain), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wicket-keeper), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, and Scott Boland.
England
England have a five-man pace attack
On the other hand, England have a full-strength squad led by Ben Stokes. The visitors had announced a 12-member squad with a five-man pace attack. It remains to be seen if spinner Shoaib Bashir gets the nod. England's XII: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicket-keeper), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, and Shoaib Bashir.
Stats
A look at notable numbers
According to ESPNcricinfo, the impending match could mark only the second instance of both Archer and Wood playing together in Test cricket. Doggett is set to become the third indigenous man to represent Australia in the whites. Despite a stellar career, Root is yet to score a Test century in Australia. Meanwhile, Smith has 1,417 Test runs at 54.50 against England at home. Starc (402) is closing in on legend Wasim Akram's wicket tally (414) in Test cricket.