England Men's Cricket Team

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England lost the first Ashes Test because they do not "respect conditions" and will "keep getting egg on their face" if they do not change, says former Australia opener Simon Katich.

The tourists gave away a positive position with an batting collapse in the afternoon session of day two before Australia romped to an eight-wicket win inside two days.

Ollie Pope, Joe Root and Harry Brook were all out playing attacking drives outside off stump.

"The reason we are seeing what we are seeing is because the rhetoric remains the same," Katich told BBC Radio 5 Live's Cricket Show.

"Always doubling down, always playing this aggressive cricket.

"That is fine when conditions are in your favour. They don't respect the conditions when they are against them. That was plain to see in Perth.

"If they want to go against traditions of 100-odd years of Test cricket, they will keep coming out with egg on their face."

Former England assistant coach Paul Farbrace added: "There were so many poor shots in the second innings.

"There are times when it borders on arrogance and that is when it becomes frustrating."

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England have opted against sending any of their first-choice batters to play in a two-day pink-ball game against a Prime Minister's XI in Canberra.

Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope were the only top six batters to reach double figures in both innings in Perth, where England were bowled out for 172 and 164 in an eight-wicket defeat.

However, only pace bowlers Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts, and batter Jacob Bethell, will join up with England Lions in the capital - a decision that has not gone down well with BBC Sport readers in the comments sections of our articles.

"Just arrogance," said Jon Lively. "It's clear that some of our batsmen would benefit from time in the middle (Crawley and Root especially), so why not take the opportunity that's presented to you?".

Clive criticised England's head-in-the-sand attitude, writing: "Naivety, arrogance, and refusal to accept that they're wrong. If we go 2-0 down, that's the series gone. And at the end of this tour, I'd expect some resignations."

Oliver called on head coach Brendon McCullum to explain why "[Root] and others aren't playing", labelling it "madness", while Dave the Wave can't understand England's "bizarre decision".

While not supporting England's choice, Duke Wilton pointed out that playing in the match did not guarantee a return to form, nor any selection changes, singling out under-fire opener Zak Crawley in his hypothetical scenario: "What if he were to get another pair in Canberra?"

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Australia batter Jake Weatherald said England's fielders were quick to sledge his fellow opener Marnus Labuschagne for making the debutant face the opening ball of the hosts' first innings in Perth.

When Usman Khawaja was not able to open because of injury, Labuschagne moved up the order but asked Weatherald to face Jofra Archer and co first.

Travis Head, who would go on to hit a match-winning century as Australia raced to victory inside two days, faced the first over in the second innings, prompting some of the England side to point out Labuschagne wasn't as generous.

"It was actually pretty friendly," Weatherald told Cricket Australia, when asked about any sledging out in the middle. "It was more around Marnus not taking the first ball with my first innings.

"Which I agreed with – I was like, 'Yeah, you're right, boys, he probably should have taken it for me' – it was all fun and games.

"I don't think they were too worried about me, to be fair. I think they were more worried about Heady and the rest of the boys coming in. So just a bit of casual stuff, nothing too vicious."

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After England's spectacular two-day defeat in the first Ashes Test, BBC Sport readers have been having their say in the comments section of our articles.

Mark W was keen to stress the difference between the styles of the two teams, writing: "Australia play to win, not entertain. It's about time the whole England set-up changed their mindset - utterly amateur shambles of a two-day Test match."

Lee had similar thoughts, saying: "Definition of madness? Doing the same things over and over and expecting different results. Australia learned from their mistakes in the first innings, England didn't."

Dave added: "Definition of English cricket: selecting Zak Crawley over and over again."

The was some support for Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, with one reader saying they are the "best captain/coach combination in the history of cricket bar none".

Perhaps we should give the final word to an Australian, given their team are now 1-0 up in the series?

Johnno said: "Aussie here who comes in peace. Not sure what has happened to the art of Test-match batting.

"England's two innings and Australia's first innings were both appalling batting and it took a T20 knock from Travis Head to win it."

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Stuart Broad accused England of dropping their heads too early during Travis Head's ruthless onslaught which helped Australia race to victory in the first Test.

While England lost all 20 wickets in just 67.5 overs, the series opener seemed to be still in the balance with Australia needing 205 to win, only for Head to blast the hosts to victory.

A brutal 69-ball century from the makeshift opener, deputising for the injured Usman Khawaja, included four sixes and 16 fours and ensured Australia cantered to an eight-wicket win inside two days.

"The body language went - it's so easy for the body language to go when someone's playing like that but I'd say it went a bit too early," ex-England bowler Broad said on the For the Love of Cricket podcast.

"If they need 40 to win and Travis Head's 100 not out then it's fine to be floating around. But it felt like it went, even when he got to 40 or 50, which I think [head coach Brendon] McCullum will be disappointed about.

"I think these next 10 to 12 days are the biggest challenge McCullum and Stokes have had in their leadership roles of this England team."

Stephan Shemilt
Chief Cricket Reporter at Lilac Hill

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Jacob Bethell could not make a compelling claim for inclusion in England's Test side, making 44 for England Lions against a Cricket Australia XI at Lilac Hill.

Bethell was released from the Ashes squad on Saturday to join the Lions on the second day of their four-day game, alongside Will Jacks and Matthew Potts.

The left-hander resumed on one on Sunday morning and batted calmly against an attack including Australia Test bowler Jhye Richardson.

Batting at number three, Bethell added 60 for the third-wicket with Jacks until the Surrey man edged the spin of Nivethan Radhakrishnan to slip on 30.

Bethell was at the crease throughout the morning session, only to clip seamer Xavier Crone to mid-wicket.

Set 232 to win, the CA XI ended the penultimate day on 90-0. Josh Inglis, a possible option for Australia in the second Test if Usman Khawaja does not play, reached 44 not out opening the batting.

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BBC sports editor Dan Roan has been speaking to England supporters in Perth, some of whom have traveled thousands of miles for one, two-day Test.

"Disappointed, angry," said one fan. "Yesterday they showed no care.

"[I have spent] A lot of money.

"Feeling angry, disappointed. We are better than that. I want a little bit more fight and smartnesss.

"I have always wanted to do the Ashes for years. I thought this was the one to do. I am just absolutely devastated. I feel I have been left down."

Other fans were more forgiving of England's performance.

"Defintely not angry," another said.

"A little bit down that we gave in so easily but we have time to enjoy ourselves the next few days now. A few things planned."

Another added: "They're sportspeople. They don't have an obligation to make my holiday enjoyable. I am sure they want to win as much as we do.

"I don't think it's trying hard or not trying hard."

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