England's Perth Batting Meltdown Puts Ashes Hopes in Jeopardy
England's Ashes campaign began with a crushing two-day defeat in Perth, leaving former batsman Mark Ramprakash questioning whether Ben Stokes's team are being truly honest with themselves about their ultra-aggressive batting approach. Despite arriving with genuine hope and a settled team, England's batters produced what Ramprakash described as a complete meltdown, losing the first Test after a dramatic second-innings collapse.
The Promise of a Refined Approach
Ramprakash revealed his initial optimism was built on England's performances during the summer Test series against India. He pointed specifically to the first innings at Lord's, where Joe Root and Ollie Pope built a 109-run partnership at a controlled three runs per over, showing the situational awareness and adaptability he believed would be crucial in Australia. That hard-fought series against elite opposition was meant to be the ideal preparation for the Ashes challenge.
However, that refined approach vanished in Perth. After winning the toss and choosing to bat, England were mauled by Mitchell Starc and the Australian attack. The emotional intelligence seen over the summer was replaced by what appeared to be a surrender to attacking instincts. Ramprakash observed that players like Pope, Root, and Harry Brook fell not to unplayable deliveries, but to driving at good length balls away from their body.
A Question of Method and Blended Approach
The core issue, according to the analysis, is England's exclusive selection of aggressively-minded batsmen. Ramprakash argues that the best Test teams possess a blend of players – those who can score quickly alongside those capable of batting for long sessions. He notes that while Stokes and Root have played such innings in the past, they now seem committed to a different method.
From a strong position of 105 runs ahead with just one wicket down after lunch on the second day, the aggressive option, Ramprakash suggests, could have been ruthless defence. With the pitch improving, the ball ageing, and Australian bowlers showing signs of injury, it presented a golden opportunity to bat England into a dominant position. Instead, the world of cricket saw a familiar pattern: Australia knew they simply had to wait for England's batters to get themselves out.
This mirrored the 2023 Ashes at Lord's, where England repeatedly fell into the short-ball trap. In Perth, Australia went wide of off-stump with the same result. The desire to maintain a five-run-an-over rate proved their undoing, with the match lost within half an hour of the collapse.
A Critical Juncture Before Brisbane
England now face an extended break before the second Test at the Gabba. Ramprakash emphasises this period must be used for deep reflection and complete honesty within the batting unit. Publicly, Ben Stokes consistently talks about blocking out noise, doubling down, and being proactive. Yet, as Ramprakash bluntly states, sometimes that approach is bloody difficult.
Something must change before Brisbane. If the pink ball moves around at the Gabba, England will face an identical challenge. Producing the same answers, Ramprakash warns, will likely lead to the same outcome. If that happens, the Ashes could effectively be over before the series has truly begun.
