Ashes 2025 live score: England lose six wickets in batting collapse after lunch despite lead of over 150
Australia 16-0 (Head 8, Weatherald 8), target to win is 205
England think they have their first wicket as Archer nicks off Weatherald.
He’s given out but reviews straight away and the replay shows the ball flicking his back pocket on the way through.
The Australian opener survives.
Mike Jones22 November 2025 07:38
Australia 15-0 (Head 8, Weatherald 7), target to win is 205
Jake Weatherald gets off the mark for the innings and for his Test career.
He works Archer into the legside for three runs and the home crowd roars its appreciation for him.
Archer switches up and goes round the wicket. He bangs one in and Head nudges the ball down for one.
Archer probes again and finds the edge!
But, Weatherald picks the gap and collects four more.
Mike Jones22 November 2025 07:37
Australia 7-0 (Head 7, Weatherald 0), target to win is 205
Atkinson goes short and wide to Head who slaps him to the fielder at point.
Head is then squared up as Atkinson directs a ball into the body.
The last ball of the over is overpitched and Head whips it thrillingly into the legside for four!
That’ll settle any nerves.
Mike Jones22 November 2025 07:33
Australia 3-0 (Head 3, Weatherald 0), target to win is 205
Head guides Archer down to third man for a nicely placed single.
Weatherald then looks to pull Archer over to the legside and is struck on the arm.
The England quick begins to ramp up the pace. He’s probing as best he can for the early wicket.
Just the single from the over.
Mike Jones22 November 2025 07:29
Australia 2-0 (Head 2, Weatherald 0), need 205 runs to win
Gus Atkinson has the new ball in hand for the second over.
England need wickets and Ben Stokes has brought the field up to surround the batters.
There’s no room for error from the bowlers and Atkinson finds the money straight away.
He starts with a maiden. If Australia play this sensibly they will see out the opening spells before looking to attack.
Mike Jones22 November 2025 07:24
Evening session: Australia 2-0 (Head 2, Weatherald 0), need 205 runs to win
Usman Khawaja isn’t fit to open the batting so Travis Head has been given the nod instead.
He strides out with Jake Weatherald and sets up to face Jofra Archer.
Archer fizzes down four dots with Head getting in line each time. The fifth delivery is right on the money as well but Head leaves it to go wide of the off stump.
The last ball of the over is worked away for two and Australia are away!
Mike Jones22 November 2025 07:20
Why Jamie Smith was given out in controversial second innings decision
Jamie Smith’s dismissal in England’s second innings of the first Ashes Test was a controversial moment on another thrilling day of cricket.
England had continued their momentum from day one by quickly dismissing Nathan Lyon and navigating the morning session with a lead of 99 runs.
However, Australia fought back after lunch and a beautiful spell of bowling from Scott Boland, aided by Mitchell Starc, saw the tourists lose four wickets for 11 runs in just 19 deliveries.
Mike Jones22 November 2025 07:17
Tea: England 164 all out, lead by 204
Australia have been set 205 runs to win this Test.
England lost nine wickets in the afternoon session and now the match is balanced on a knife edge.
Scott Boland took four wickets and broke the back of England’s top order with Mitchell Starc and Brendan Doggett claiming three each.
Mike Jones22 November 2025 07:01
Wicket! England 164 all out (Atkinson 37)
Gus Atkinson looks to smoke another big hit into the stands but only manages to find the man on the boundary.
England have been skittled out in the afternoon session and have set Australia a total of 205 runs to win.
Mike Jones22 November 2025 06:57
England 164-9 (Atkinson 37, Wood 4)
It’s going to be carnage now. There’ll be very little blocking.
Mark Wood smacks his first ball for four and all these runs will be vital for England’s chances of winning the game.
Mike Jones22 November 2025 06:56
