England vs Australia Ashes 1st Test match preview, Head to Head Records, Pitch Report, players to Watch Out

The one of biggest rivalry in cricket England vs Australia 1st Test of Ashes series Start at Perth stadium, England arrives Down Under seeking their first series victory in Australia since 2010-11.However, the opening Test is filled with uncertainty, mainly because Australia will be without two of their biggest fast-bowling weapons..

England batting lineup is strong and full of confidence. Joe Root remains the backbone of the team, while players like Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, and Zak Crawley and Ben Stokes bring attacking intent. While their bowling attack Jofra Archer, Mark wood and Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson bring fiery pace attack options.

The main selection puzzle for England is the spin department.  Shoaib Bashir offers a fresh option with his off-spin. However, considering the nature of the Perth wicket, England may still choose to go with an all-pace attack.

However, the hosts are significantly hampered by the absence of their key pace duo, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, due to injury. This is a massive break for England.

Stand-in captain Steve Smith will rely heavily on the experienced core, the potent new-ball threat of Mitchell Starc, the relentless precision of Scott Boland , and the pivotal control of the legendary off-spinner Nathan Lyon and Debutant Brendan Doggett add more options in pace attack. The batting line-up, however, is bolstered by the confirmed return of Marnus Labuschagne to his preferred number three slot, pushing all-rounder Cameron Green to six. The debut of opener Jake Weatherald alongside Usman Khawaja presents an immediate question mark against England  fast-bowling strategy.

England vs Australia Head to Head Records in Test

Total Matches Played : 361

Australia won: 152

England won: 112

Drawn matches: 97

Pitch Report

The Perth pitch offers genuine pace and steep bounce, making batting tough early on. Fast bowlers benefit from seam movement and strong carry, toss could be very critical ,Five of the seven Test matches played at this venue have been won by the team batting first, highlighting the difficulty of chasing on a deteriorating pitch, The surface becomes easier for batting on Days 2 and 3 as it settles. By Days 4 and 5, cracks widen due to the heat, causing uneven bounce and bringing spinners into the game, creating challenging conditions for the final stages of the Test

Playing XIs

England

Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley , Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jaime Smith (wk), Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir/ Brydon Carse

Australia

Jake Weatherald , Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett, Nathan Lyon

Player to Watch Out

Steve Smith

Scott Boland

Travis Head

Joe Root

Ben Stokes

Jofra Archer

Prediction

This opener is close due to Australia’s injured pace attack, which hands England a major advantage. England’s high-velocity attack (Archer, Wood) is suited to the Perth pitch and can genuinely challenge for 20 wickets.However, Australia’s superior batting core (Smith, Labuschagne) and Nathan Lyon’s late-game mastery on a deteriorating pitch provide vital stability. England will compete fiercely, but Australia’s home experience is likely to prevail in a tight contest.