Ashes heroes and villains from day one as Ben Stokes produces the spectacular in Perth to boost hopes of win

England are looking to win the series Down Under for the first times since the 2010/11 campaign, back when Andrew Strauss was skippering the side.

The Australians were devastating with the ball in the early hours of Friday morning, with their seamers rising to the occasion.

England were still able to clock up a respectable 172, however, with Ollie Pope and Harry Brook scoring 98 runs between them.

Ben Duckett hit 21 from 20 balls, while 25-year-old Jamie Smith managed 33 from 22 deliveries.

England, however, were nothing short of sublime with the ball. Stokes took five wickets, while Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer took two each to leave the Aussies on 123-9.

GB News now takes a look at the heroes and villains from day one.

Much has been made of the conditions in Perth and how they're perfectly-suited to fast bowlers.

And that was certainly the case on Friday, with Mitchell Starc causing chaos as he took seven wickets - conceding just 58 runs in the process.

However, Brook was still able to stand tall amid the heat of the battle - quite literally - with an impressive 52 runs from just 61 deliveries.

He was later dismissed by Brendan Roggett, who took his first Test wicket.

Villain: Joe Root

Joe Root has never scored a century on Australian soil.

And he certainly didn't impress on Friday, with the England veteran going for a duck following a good delivery from Starc.

Root is one of England's greatest cricketers in the modern era.

His wait for a ton Down Under will now go on, however.

Hero: Jofra Archer

Archer made his Test debut for England back in the 2019 Ashes series and took 22 wickets at an average of just 20.27.

Injuries, however, have prevented him from gracing this stage in the time since.

Admittedly, he was poor with the bat. But Archer started England's fightback, excellently taking the wicket for Jake Weatherald - who was dismissed for lbw.

The 30-year-old also dismissed Weatherald's fellow Aussie opener Marnus Labuschagne, giving the Three Lions hope when it appeared to be fading.

Villain: Zak Crawley

Zak Crawley is a divisive figure.

At his best, the England star is unplayable - hence his ongoing selection.

But Crawley has long been inconsistent in 2025 and he was dismissed for a duck on Friday morning, with Starc claiming him as his victim.

His early dismissal will do little to silence his doubters, who will likely grow in volume following his subdued showing.

Hero of the day: Ben Stokes

Stokes is arguably England's greatest captain.

And today's performance proved it.

The all-rounder may have struggled with the bat but was excellent with the ball, claiming five Australian wickets.

If England do go on to secure victory, that electrifying display will be key.

What about Australia?

We've already mentioned Starc who, even at the grand age of 35, continues to lead from the front.

The left-armed bowler's seven wickets was proof his ongoing prowess and, when it comes to the ball, he remains their talisman.

Regarding the bat, Alex Carey and Cameron Green produced Australia's highest totals of the day.