Chris Woakes thinks Australia have gifted England a psychological boost ahead of The Ashes by not staging the opening Test in Brisbane.

The Gabba has been home to the curtain-raiser between Australia and England since 1986 with the hosts winning seven and drawing two of the 10 subsequent Tests.

However, the Optus Stadium in Perth is the venue for this year's first game - from November 21 - before the players head to Brisbane for the day-night second game from December 4.

With England having been heavily beaten on their last three visits to the Gabba, including by nine wickets in 2021, Woakes said: "Australia have a great Ashes record at the Gabba so if I was them I'd want to be playing there first up."

Speaking to the PA news agency, the all-rounder, who recently retired from internati

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