LONDON, UK: England’s calamitous descent into defeat on the second day of the first Ashes Test of the 2025-26 series at Perth was an embarrassment for their players, management and supporters. Amidst the pre-series hype, injuries to key Australian players had given renewed hope for England’s chances of victory. Early on the second day, England were 105 runs ahead with nine second-innings wickets remaining. They slumped to 164 all out and Australia then raced to its target of 205 in 28.2 overs, a brutal slap down of England’s hopes.

England pass up the opportunity to send their first-choice batters to gain match practice in an Ashes tour game in Canberra, despite a dismal defeat in the first Test.

England's decision not to send first-choice batters to pink-ball warm-up is a strange decision, writes Jonathan Agnew.