Smith's wicket started a mini collpase as England were bowled out soon after losing the last four wickets for 60-odd runs. Hussain not only questioned the shot selection, a nothing swat outside off off Marnus Labuschagne on a short ball, but the timing of it as well.

Ashes 2025-26: Ex-skipper Nasser Hussain calls Jamie Smith's 'really poor shot' is 'problem with this England side'

The final Test between Australia and England will start on Sunday (Jan 4) with the hosts leading 3-1. England were forced to make the changes after Gus Atkinson injured his hamstring, while Jofra Archer was also ruled out due to injury-related issues.

Ashes: Shoaib Bashir, Matthew Potts included in 12-man squad for SCG Test

Pitch curator Matt Page also admitted that he was in a state of shock after seeing how the pitch behaved. He said that he had never seen a Test match like this and hoped he would never experience one like it again.

Ashes 2025-26: ICC labels Melbourne pitch as 'unsatisfactory' after fourth Test ends in two days

The one clear positive for the visitors was Joe Root, who brought up his first Test hundred in Australia.

Ashes 2025-26: Joe Root's maiden Test century in Australia makes it England's day in Brisbane

The first Test saw batting collapses from both sides, but Travis Head’s outstanding 123 turned the match. Stokes praised Head’s innings but made it clear that England’s defeat wasn’t because of one knock alone. 

‘We have moved on’: Ben Stokes resets tone ahead of pink-ball Test in Brisbane

Australia have named the same 14-man squad for the second match which they had announced for the Perth Test. The hosts are currently leading the series 1-0. Opening batter Usman Khawaja, who could not open in any of the Perth Test innings because of back spasm, has retained his place.

Ashes 2025-26: Cummins misses as Australia name unchanged 14-man squad for Brisbane Test

England’s record in Brisbane is one of the toughest hurdles they’ve faced in Australia, and their overall pink-ball numbers don’t inspire much confidence either. Still, this is the moment where they have to find answers.

Can England bounce back in Brisbane? A look at their Gabba and pink-ball stats

England had walked into Perth with a bold all-pace attack, and for a while it looked inspired. Australia were bowled out for 132 in the first innings, with Ben Stokes grabbing five wickets and the rest of the unit hitting the right areas. 

James Anderson expects England to stick with same XI in Brisbane despite Perth defeat

The second Test, a day-night match, is still more than a week away and Wood is hopeful of England throwing some punches back. The second Test starts December 4 at the iconic Gabba stadium in Brisbane.

Ashes 2025-26: Wood concedes Perth loss 'going to hurt and it should' but hope of England throwing some punches back

Khawaja was off the field when the last England wicket fell which meant he could not open as per ICC rules. According to rules, after failing to be on the field for the last wicket, a batter has to spent at least 10 minutes off the pitch before becoming eligible to bat.

Ashes 2025-26: Why Usman Khawaja did not open Australia innings in Perth?

The England quick took just two balls to scalp out the first Australia wicket, sending back debutant Jake Weatherald for a duck on his Test debut. The frantic opening day saw 11 wickets fall by tea with Australia trailing by 157 runs and Steve Smith on crease along with Marnus Labuschagne.

Ashes 2025-26: Balance lost, awkward fall and decision is out - Archer owns Weatherald on debut - WATCH

Starc's figures of 7/58 are the best by a left-arm in Ashes Down Under after losing the toss since Bruce Reid's 7/51 in Boxing Day Test in December 1990. Thanks to him, England finished their first innings in Ashes opener for just 172 runs.

Ashes 2025-26: Mitchell Starc delivers nightmare in Perth even before dawn in England - WATCH

Starc's biggest wicket of the morning came nearly two overs later as he sent back star England batter Joe Root for a duck. With the wicket, Starc also completed 100 wickets in the Ashes. By the time Starc was done with his first spell, England were three down for 50 runs.

Ashes 2025-26: Starc starts off breathing fire and England not able to deal with heat

All of England's pacers in the squad are able to clock in excess of 145 km/h mark and are spearheaded by Mark Wood and Jofra Archer. Both, Wood and Archer would be eager to make a mark early in the series as England aim to win first Ashes Down Under since 2011.

Ashes: Smith says England going 'wrong way' by choosing pace for Perth Test

After the scans, Hazlewood was cleared to play in the first Tests as he only had some tightness in hamstring while Abbott has been withdrawn from the squad as after scans revealed moderate grade strain.

Hazlewood clear to play in Ashes opener after injury scare; reserve pacer Abbott out

Duckett's statement hints at England moving towards more of a traditional approach to Test cricket when required and not going gung-ho all the time even when not required.

Duckett hints at England moving on from 'entertaining, reckless at times' Bazball in Ashes

Test cricket definitely needs more global icons to support it, given its flailing popularity with the rise of fast-paced T20 cricket. The upcoming Ashes promises to be an entertaining one with England having the best shot, according to pundits, to win it this time that too away from home.

Test cricket just got a global icon as a fan - Rory McIlroy looking forward to Ashes

With both Wood and Jofra Archer back, it'll be a test for Australia batting line-up for sure. England last won an Ashes in 2015 while the away series win came more than a decade ago in 2010-11.

England pacer Mark Wood sets eye on 1st Ashes Test in Perth for comeback

Sports, Cricket: Hussain feels England was at least 30 runs shy of their first innings total but rang warning bells for captain Jos Buttler, who looked out of his element.

Champions Trophy: Hussain warns Jos Buttler after Lahore horror, says ‘he cannot afford...’

Sports, Cricket: Inglis explains how training in Lahore for two nights (before this match) made Australia believe in hunting the highest score ever scored in this competition.

How Yorkshire-born Inglis taught England a lesson in famous Champions Trophy chase in Lahore

Sports, Cricket: In a major blunder by the sound team, they accidentally played the Indian national anthem instead of Australia’s, with the players looking baffled at it.

Indian national anthem mistakenly played during ENG-AUS Champions Trophy game in Lahore - Watch

Sports, Cricket: Reflecting on this big match between Ashes rivals, Joe Root said it’s always a good time to play Australia, adding they always look forward to facing them.

‘We could take anyone on in the world,’ Root on England’s chances against Australia in Champions Trophy

Sports, Cricket: England named their playing XI for their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against Australia two days before their scheduled game in Lahore.

Champions Trophy 2025: Jamie Smith returns as England name playing XI for blockbuster Australia tie

ENG vs AUS: Travis Head comes good in Bristol as Australia pocket ODI series after rain plays spoilsport