Steve Smith cut a relaxed figure when he named the Australia team for the opening clash in his ninth and possibly final Ashes series on Thursday, a far cry from the perpetual angst that used to be his hallmark at the crease.

Steve Smith has played many domineering innings against England over the past 15 years but the Australian looked uneasy against an all-pace attack on day one of the first Ashes Test in Perth.

This Ashes could well be a story of Steve Smith and Joe Root. Two supreme gladiators who are at the peak of their powers, these are men who have the ability to draw sizeable crowds to cricket grounds keeping Test cricket alive.

Steve Smith aimed a brutal dig at Monty Panesar after the former England star reignited the sandpaper scandal. With England and Australia set to renew their rivalry in the upcoming Ashes series,

Doggett has been in ravishing form and will replace Josh Hazlewood in the team. He will form a four-pronged pace attack with Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Green. Nathan Lyon, who happens to be the highest wicket-taker at this venue, will also feature as the sole spinner.

Hit them with pace. It was England’s masterplan for three years and it delivered in blood-curdling style, causing a jitteriness in Australian batsmen not seen for decades in an Ashes Test.

ENGLAND fans have slammed Steve Smith after he made a bizarre dig at Monty Panesar ahead of the first Ashes Test. The former England spin bowler, 43, had claimed that the current team should

Among all this, it is worth remembering Test matches are not won on the first day, and definitely not Ashes series. But England should allow themselves a moment of joy. Having come to Australia and been comprehensively outgunned so often,