The Age
Sport
Cricket
The Ashes
Opinion
Geoff Lawson Cricket columnist November 15, 2025 — 7.45pm
The first Test of the 1982-83 Ashes series was played in Western Australia on the famous WACA trampoline. England held the urn after that ridiculous 3-1 victory at home in 1981– “Botham’s Ashes”, as the Poms would label the series– and in Perth, the match finished in a draw after England won the toss and batted carefully, gradually, incrementally for 155 overs, making 411.
There was not a hint of green on the WACA pitch at the toss – compare that to the lush lawns that have been served up in recent series. Mitchell Starc is all in favour of hiding the lawnmower at Optus Stadium later this week, but I’m not convinced that preparing a green top is the best way to beat this England team.
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