AUS vs ENG Toss, Playing 11 Update for 1st Test: England captain Ben Stokes opted to bat first after winning the toss against Steve Smith's Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth on November 21, 2025 (Friday).
After winning the toss, Ben Stokes said: We're going to have a bat. (Was it a tough decision?) You take in as much information as you can, especially at a venue that doesn't host a lot of cricket. We'll try to get some runs on the board and see where we are at the end of it. It's been a long build-up, as it always is before an Ashes series. Now that we're finally here, the whole group - players, support staff, and I'm sure all our fans out here feel exactly the same. We can't wait to get going. As always, a lot of hard work, determination,
everything that goes into preparing for a big tour. We've got a clear goal of what we want to achieve out here. From the 12 we named, Bash misses out. We're going with four seamers, and of course I'll roll my arm over now and again. It was just about waiting. Me and Baz like to take our time with selection, making sure all discussions are had and we're going with the right feel. That's the team we've decided on. Really excited (to see Wood and Archer together). Woody's had a bit of time out with injury but he's over that now; he's worked incredibly hard for a long period. He's absolutely raring to go, and so are Joff and the rest of the lads this week.
Meanwhile Australia captain Steve Smith said: I would have had a bat as well. Hopefully it seams all over the place this morning. I think the cracks will come into play, they seem to every year. That was probably the rationale behind batting first. If we get the ball in the right areas this morning, there'll definitely be enough in it. Obviously they're big losses (Cummins and Hazlewood), but we've got to deal with what we've got. We've still got a couple of quality performers. Scott Boland, every time he's had an opportunity, he's been outstanding. And Brendan Doggett's been amazing in Shield cricket for the last few years; he fully deserves this opportunity. I'm looking forward to seeing those guys go about their business today. (Is he working on his coin toss?) A bit better than last week, wasn't it? (*laughs*) Unfortunately it landed on the wrong side, but at least we got it in the air this time.
AUS vs ENG Playing XIs
England (Playing XI): Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Jamie Smith(w), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood
Australia (Playing XI): Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith(c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(w), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland
AUS vs ENG Pitch Report
The stage is perfectly set at Perth's Optus Stadium, a ground where every Test to date has favoured the team that bats first. With its quick, lively pitch, fans can look forward to an electrifying contest.
AUS vs ENG Squads
England Squad: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Jamie Smith(w), Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Matthew Potts, Josh Tongue, Will Jacks.
Australia Squad: Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith(c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(w), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland, Beau Webster, Josh Inglis, Michael Neser.
