Ashes Series Begins in Perth with Australia Captained by Smith

The Ashes series between Australia and England, one of cricket's most storied rivalries spanning more than 140 years, begins Friday at Perth Stadium with the first Test match. The five-Test contest, which takes its name from a symbolic urn containing the ashes of a burned bail, kicks off a packed schedule amid heightened anticipation due to injuries and returning players on both sides.

Australia will enter the opener without captain Pat Cummins and pace bowler Josh Hazlewood, both sidelined by injuries, leaving Steve Smith to lead the side. The hosts, ranked first in Test cricket, rely on a strong batting lineup featuring Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, and Smith, the world's top-ranked Test batter. Their bowling attack for the first Test includes Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and likely debutant Brendan Doggett, a 31-year-old seamer in excellent form with four five-wicket hauls in his last five first-class matches. All-rounder Cameron Green, absent from Test bowling since March 2024 due to back surgery, has confirmed he is fit and unrestricted after bowling 16 overs in a recent domestic game. "It's been a really slow buildup, but you come into a series so fresh," Green said.