The Ashes LIVE: Alastair Cook forced into apology as England leave Australia reeling

Cricket's oldest rivalry resumed with a bang on Friday with 19 wickets falling in a superb day's play at Perth

Hello and welcome to the Mirror's live coverage of day two of the winter's first Ashes test in Perth.

The 2025/26 edition of cricket's oldest and fiercest rivalry began with a bang on Friday with 19 wickets taken on a stunning day's play in Western Australia.

The Aussies bowled out England for 172, putting down a marker early on for Ben Stokes' side but the tourists responded to leave their hosts 123-9 at close thanks to a superb five-wicket haul from the captain late in the day's play.

What's next is anyone's guess after a superb opening day set the tone for the rest of the 2025/26 Ashes series with day two coming up shortly.

You can follow all the action right here on our live blog...

Stephen Killen

Good evening!

Coverage is underway here at Mirror HQ before we transfer over to the action in Perth.

England are one wicket away from bowling the Aussies out after a phenomenal day's play.

The lead is currently 49.