The Ashes opener in Perth on Friday marks the end of a noisy pre-series build-up dominated by ex-players and tabloid barbs, with most of the talking now giving way to the cricket.
David Warner kicked off much of the banter, singling out Joe Root’s technique and saying Root should “take the surfboard off his front leg” as he continues to search for a first Ashes century away from home. Warner also suggested Josh Hazlewood “tends to have his number quite a lot.” Stuart Broad, quick with a riposte, pointed out that Hazlewood has dismissed Root lbw only three times in Tests and that the overall number of Root dismissals to Hazlewood is limited.
That Root–Hazlewood subplot is on hold after both Hazlewood and captain Pat Cummins were ruled out of the Perth match with a hamstring and a back issue respectively, delaying any renewed duel.
Joe Root’s Ashes record in Australia to date: three series, 14 matches, 27 innings, 892 runs, average 35.68, highest score 89 (Brisbane, Dec 2021), most recent score 11 (Hobart, Jan 2022). He has no centuries, nine fifties and two ducks.
The West Australian newspaper piled in with cheeky front pages on England’s arrival, branding Root “Average Joe” and calling him a “dud Down Under” for his lack of an away Ashes hundred. Ben Stokes was labelled “Cocky Captain Complainer,” with the paper mocking elements of the Bazball approach as “dopey” and “careless thrash batting,” and jabbing at England for practising golf on a pitch it suggested could be a nightmare for England’s aggressive style.
Other voices weighed in. Mitchell Johnson warned of “alarm bells” over injuries and an ageing bowling group. Warner predicted Australia could win 4-0 while conceding England might snatch a game if Cummins misses more cricket. Former players including Glenn McGrath have made confident scoreline predictions in differing directions.
Stuart Broad went as far as calling this Australia’s “worst” Test side since England’s 2010/11 tour; former quick Ryan Harris pushed back, accusing Broad of hyping the contest and arguing England’s batting remains unproven, with questions over players such as Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett and Root’s continued absence of an Australian Ashes century.
At home, England also faced critique for limited preparation. Lord Ian Botham said playing only one warm-up match was “bordering on arrogance,” and Simon Katich warned the tourists were “asking for trouble.” Stokes dismissed some commentators as “has-beens,” rejecting public criticism of England’s methods.
With the pre-series jawing largely concluded, attention turns to Optus Stadium and whether the on-field contest will live up to the hype.
Ashes series in Australia 2025-26 (UK times)
– First Test: Friday Nov 21 – Tuesday Nov 25 (2.30am) – Optus Stadium, Perth
– Second Test (day/night): Thursday Dec 4 – Monday Dec 8 (4.30am) – The Gabba, Brisbane
– Third Test: Wednesday Dec 17 – Sunday Dec 21 (12am) – Adelaide Oval
– Fourth Test: Thursday Dec 25 – Monday Dec 29 (11.30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground
– Fifth Test: Sunday Jan 4 – Thursday Jan 8 (11.30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground