Perth, November 21, 2025 – In a pulsating start to the Ashes 2025-26 series, England has seized the early initiative on Day 2 of the 1st Test in Perth, with Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope demonstrating admirable resilience to significantly extend their lead. After a chaotic opening day that saw 19 wickets tumble, the morning session belonged emphatically to England, leaving Australia with a considerable challenge ahead.

Stokes Dominance and Australia’s Collapse

The second day began with Australia precariously placed on 123-9, still trailing England’s modest first-innings total of 172. The stage was set for a quick wrap-up, and England duly delivered. Brydon Carse landed the decisive blow, dismissing Nathan Lyon for just four runs, caught by Ben Duckett. This brought Australia’s first innings to a close for a paltry 132, leaving them trailing by 40 runs and highlighting the unpredictable nature of the Perth Stadium pitch.

The true architect of Australia’s downfall in their first innings was none other than England’s captain, Ben Stokes. The talismanic all-rounder delivered a sensational spell, claiming an outstanding 5-23. This performance wasn’t just about the wickets; it was a masterclass in pace, swing, and strategic bowling, reaffirming his status as one of the game’s premier match-winners. For Stokes to produce such a decisive five-wicket haul early in an Ashes series sets a formidable tone, not only for his personal form but for England’s collective belief. His ability to lead from the front, especially with the ball, provides a massive psychological boost for his team and underscores the intense, high-stakes environment of an Ashes encounter.

Duckett and Pope Lead the Charge

With a 40-run advantage in hand, England’s second innings commenced under immense pressure. The first day had witnessed two significant collapses, and the Australians, even after a disappointing batting display, were eager to exploit any lingering demons in the pitch. However, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope, batting at the time of this report, have shown remarkable composure and confidence, refusing to buckle under the intense Ashes spotlight.

Duckett, particularly, has been impressive, riding the bounce and showing intent. He currently stands at 28 not out off 36 balls. His innings has been punctuated by moments of defiance and skill, including a ‘textbook’ drive off Brendan Doggett – a genuine half-volley that he dispatched ‘gun-barrel straight down the ground for a boundary’. This particular shot didn’t just add runs; it made a statement, pushing England’s overall lead to 98 runs and signalling a shift in momentum. Despite an aggressive approach, Duckett also faced a moment of discomfort when a brutal delivery from Scott Boland angled in from ‘around the stumps’, striking his left elbow, necessitating medical attention. This incident is a stark reminder of the physical battle inherent in Test cricket, particularly against a hostile Australian pace attack.

Ollie Pope, meanwhile, has anchored the other end, contributing a gritty 24 not out off 48 balls. While he has been ‘beaten’ on several occasions by deliveries from Boland and Doggett – balls that ‘flirted past his outside edge’ or ‘shaped away late’ – his ability to survive and persist is a testament to his growing maturity. Pope’s resilience, soaking up pressure and weathering probing spells, is precisely what England needed after the earlier collapses. Together, Duckett and Pope have managed to keep the ‘Aussies at bay’, building a crucial partnership that is steadily expanding England’s control over the match.

Australian Bowlers Toiling

For Australia, the morning session has been one of hard graft without significant reward. Both Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett have tried to maintain pressure, with Boland, in particular, demonstrating his customary accuracy and aggression. His delivery that struck Duckett’s elbow was a prime example of the intensity he brings to the crease. Doggett has sought to find ‘inswing’ and ‘movement’, but Duckett’s ‘textbook’ boundary highlighted the fine margins he’s operating within.

The pitch, despite its ‘explosive’ nature on Day 1, appeared to have settled somewhat, allowing the English batsmen to establish themselves. The Australian bowlers are now facing the challenge of breaking a resilient partnership on a surface that might be losing some of its initial venom. The pressure is mounting on captain Pat Cummins to find a way to dismantle this partnership, as every run added by Duckett and Pope inches England closer to an unassailable position.

Even a brief pause in play, as ‘one of the ground staff has come in and he is flattening out that area with the hammer’ in the landing zone, suggests that the conditions continue to demand attention, yet the batsmen seem to be finding a rhythm amidst it all.

Implications for the Ashes Series

England’s ability to not only recover from their own first-innings struggles but also to dismiss Australia for a low total and then build a substantial lead in their second innings speaks volumes about their intent and execution. With a lead of 98 runs and nine wickets still in hand, England is in a commanding position to set a challenging, potentially match-winning target for Australia.

The psychological battle in the Ashes is as crucial as the cricketing one. By outperforming Australia in these key moments on Day 2, England has gained a significant psychological edge. A large target could put immense pressure on Australia’s batting lineup, which has already shown vulnerability on this Perth track. This early ascendancy in the series could define the narrative, forcing Australia to play catch-up right from the first Test.

Looking ahead to the remainder of Day 2 and into Day 3, England will be aiming to bat deep, pushing their lead well beyond the 250-run mark. For Australia, urgent breakthroughs are paramount. They need to disrupt this partnership swiftly and expose England’s lower middle order if they are to prevent the 1st Ashes Test from slipping further away.

The Ashes has a storied history of dramatic turnarounds, but as of the morning session on Day 2 in Perth, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope have firmly steered England towards a position of dominance, making this an enthralling start to the 2025-26 series.

---

Disclaimer: Cricket Mantra aggregates breaking cricket news from multiple reputable sources, enriching them with in-depth analysis and expert commentary to provide comprehensive coverage for our readers.