Ashes 2025/26: Unwanted history made as England and Australia openers suffer disastrous start to series in Perth after Zak Crawley pair
Updated 22/11/2025 at 14:06 GMT
It has been an incredible start to the 2025/26 Ashes in Perth, including a slice of unwanted history which involved a batter from both sides. Zak Crawley suffered a duck in both innings, while Australia's Jake Weatherald was also dismissed without registering a run. That meant for the first time in Test cricket, teams have been 0-1 in the first over of the first three innings of a match.
Disaster for Crawley with second duck in as many days
Video credit: TNT Sports
The opening of the 2025/26 NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - has delivered every bit of the excitement and drama that it promised in the build-up to the series.
England had their tail between their legs after the first innings in the first Test, seemingly staring defeat in the face after being bowled out for a mere 172.
Mitchell Starc was in top form for the hosts, as he claimed an astonishing seven wickets.
But the tourists hit back in style, mainly thanks to captain Ben Stokes, who posted a handy five-wicket haul as England dismissed the Australians for just 132 runs.
In total, a devastating 19 wickets fell on the opening day, a trend which continued into the second day's play, as England looked to build on what turned out to be a promising opener on Friday.
Once England had quickly dismissed Nathan Lyon at the start of day two to mark the end of the first innings, Zak Crawley returned to the crease alongside Ben Duckett.
And the 27-year-old claimed a bit of unwanted history in the process.
Facing his sixth ball on day one, Crawley was caught by Usman Khawaja off Starc's delivery for a duck, and history repeated itself 24 hours later when Starc showed sensational athleticism to pull off a catch off his own bowling after just five balls.
- The greatest Ashes Day 1 in history? And why second innings could shape series
- How 'courageous decisions' paid off for 'freak' Stokes after thrilling first day
That meant another duck and a nightmare pair for Crawley, which marked the first time in Test history that teams have been 0-1 in the first over of the first three innings of a match.
It was not just Crawley's doing, of course, as Jake Weatherald suffered the same fate when he was dismissed by Jofra Archer after facing just two balls during Australia's first innings.
Despite another disastrous start for England, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope steadied the ship somewhat with 28 and 33 runs, respectively, taking England's lead to over 100.
But the wickets soon began to tumble, as Australia claimed four wickets in four overs, seeing off Duckett and Pope as well as Harry Brook and Joe Root.
Stokes was soon dismissed for two, as England finished on a dismal 164 - eight fewer runs than they managed in the first innings.
Australia were given a target of 205 to take a 1-0 lead in the series. The chase can be seen live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
- - -
Watch every ball of the Ashes live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement