Sunday 16 November 2025 10:57, UK
Australian cricket journalist Adam Collins says England have a significant opportunity to win the first Ashes Test in Perth after Australia confirmed senior seamers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins would not play.
With those two frontline quicks unavailable, Australia’s pace resources lose experience, control and the ability to sustain pressure in long spells on a wicket expected to offer bounce and carry. Hazlewood’s disciplined lines and Cummins’ leadership and strike capability are hard to replace, and their absence reshapes the contest before a ball is bowled.
For England, the situation presents multiple advantages. Their seam attack, already accustomed to exploiting pace-friendly conditions and targeted swing, can attack Australia’s potentially less settled attack. England’s batters, familiar with handling express pace, will also face less depth in Australia’s pace bench, giving them a clearer path to build big first-innings totals.
Tactics will matter. England can be more aggressive with their selection and game plan, backing their quicks to take early advantage with the new ball and setting attacking fields. Spin options could also be used more creatively, as Australia may lean on part-time bowlers or less experienced first-choice replacements.
Australia’s challenge will be to plug the gaps without disrupting balance. Fresh faces will need to rise quickly to maintain intensity and control, while the batting unit must shoulder extra responsibility to offset any shortfall in bowling potency.
Collins’ take underlines that while injuries don’t decide a series, they tilt the first Test’s immediate dynamics. England’s chance in Perth is to convert the weakened Australian seam chart into scoreboard pressure early, and to capitalize on any hesitation or reshuffling from the home side.