The Ashes 1st Test LIVE: Australia vs England, free cricket streams, live day 1 updates from Perth

The first ball is bowled!

Australia were forced to bowl first after losing the toss and they've bowled the opening ball!

Mitchell Starc bowled to England's Zak Crawley who solidly defended it and is doing a sterling job so far.

The teams enter the stadium

Before the first ball is played, we welcome the two teams led by Smith and Stokes into Optus Stadium.

As is custom, and an important part of Australian history, the Welcome to Country ceremony occurs followed by the two national anthems.

What's the beef with Steve Smith and Monty Panesar?

Trying to fill the big shoes of captain Pat Cummins, Steve Smith may have thought that included receiving headline attention...well he achieved it.

During a press conference, Smith took a jab at ex England player Monty Panesar's disastrous performance on Mastermind in a poorly judged but fairly harmless joke. This blew back in the English media who were outraged and even resulted in Panesar responding to it and calling Smith a 'cheat'.

Let's hope there's more focus on the game and less on the tabloid headlines from here on.

Where's Australian captain, Pat Cummins?

The eagle-eyed among you will recognise that Australian captain Pat Cummins wasn't present at the coin toss and won't be on the pitch today.

Cummins has had to pull out of the first stretch of the Ashes due to a back injury he acquired during practice. The Aussie side has been riddled with injuries this season with some questioning the strength of the usually powerful team.

However, in his place - and facing England captain Ben Stokes - is the vice captain Steve Smith with Cummins hoping to be back soon when he's regained full fitness.

The coin toss!

The coin toss has happened...and it's tails!

Captain Ben Stokes has called it successfully and chooses to bat first for the English side. A lovely advantage to have choice over where you'll start but obviously completely down to luck.

Australian acting captain Steve Smith confesses he would've picked batting too but alas luck was not on his side.

Let's see how this plays out.

What is Bazball?

So, what is this Bazball that the pundits and players keep talking about?

It's an unofficial term coined for an aggressive style and positive mindset of cricket that England are perceived to have embraced recently to turn the tide on their diminishing returns as of late.

The name originates from Brendon McCullum - or Baz - the head coach of England's men cricket team since 2022. But will this style of play help England claim this Ashes series after a long drought?

Welcome to Perth!

Live coverage has officially started for the Ashes 2025/26! Optus Stadium is now being broadcast live to the world as Perth prepares to kick things off.

With 60,000 fans waiting to get stuck into the action, we'll make sure to bring you every ball, every decision and every moment of drama. Stay tuned for an incredible first day between these two nations.

One hour until the toss!

Just over an hour until one of Steve Smith and Ben Stokes decide to have a bat or bowl.

England won't want a similar first ball to last time when Rory Burns was knocked over by Mitchell Starc.

How can I watch The Ashes for free?

Australian residents are in luck as 7Plus are streaming every day of each Test match for free.

All you need is an account with an Aussie postcode (e.g. 2026).

Remember. Use NordVPN to unlock Australia vs England!

What time does the 1st Ashes Test start?

The 1st Ashes Test begins at 10:20 a.m. local time which translates to 9:20 p.m. ET (20 Nov.) / 6:20 p.m. PT (20 Nov.) / 2:20 a.m. GMT / 1:20 p.m. AEDT.

The Ashes are here!

The 1st Ashes Test is finally here, with England taking on Australia at Optus Stadium in Perth.

Ever since Stuart Broad took the final wicket of the 2023 series, it has felt like we’ve all been stuck in a holding pattern waiting for the next chapter of this rivalry to begin.

England may not have won a Test Down Under in nearly 15 years, but that won’t stop the Bazballers from posing a serious threat across five matches. Still, this experienced Australian side is formidable on home soil and will be ready to land plenty of punches of their own.

Strap in as we’ve got you covered throughout Day 1 of the Ashes.