Ben Stokes is’shellshocked.’ He insists England will still be able to win the Ashes Series in Australia even though they were thrashed within two days of the first test in Perth. England was 65-1 and ahead by 105 runs early on in the afternoon of day two. But they left the Optus Stadium just four and a quarter hours later, having suffered their fastest Ashes loss in more than a century.
After being dismissed for 172 the day before, the tourists lost just five wickets in an eight-over span. Australia then needed only 28.2 to reach their 205 target and take a 1-0 lead in the five Test series.
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Sky Sports’ Michael Atherton dissects England’s day-two batting collapse in first Ashes Test in Perth
England’s pace attack of five players failed to stop the 14th Ashes defeat in their last 16 Tests played in Australia. Travis Head scored a 69 ball ton, and ended with 123 runs in only 83 deliveries. He had been stepped in to open for Usman Khawaja who was injured.Stokes said after the defeat, “I am a bit shellshocked right now.” “I wasn’t expecting that.” It’s quite raw. It’s important to allow emotions to sink in. It’s hard to walk away from a game knowing you lost.
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Sky Sports fans heckled Michael Atherton during the Sky Sports match. Cricket podcast record!
“At this moment, I’m still in the ‘wow!’ phase following what Travis Head just did to us. Travis delivered an incredible special knock. “I thought 200 was an easily defendable score…but He had an answer to everything.”
Stokes admitted that the day/night test was the second of the series.
2025-11-22 13:40:00
