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India’s Perth Demolition Should Be Ashes Warning For England: Former Aus Wicketkeeper
Follow UsThe 2025/26 Ashes Down Under will begin next month in Perth
Before October 19 (Sunday), Australia had not won a single ODI at the Optus Stadium in Perth in seven years, losing each of the three games they played there. But the Kangaroos broke the Perth duck in sensational fashion on Sunday, demolishing India by seven wickets in a one-sided affair.
Winning the toss and bowling first, the Aussie pacers had the Indian top-order on toast, and eventually restricted the visitors to just 136/9. Then, in response, they chased down the target without breaking a sweat, with seven wickets and nearly five overs to spare.
Former Australia wicketkeeper Ian Healy believes the Perth showing should be an Ashes warning for England: try anything silly, and you’ll pay.
“England will win a Test. [But] you will see how you look when you’re underdone in Perth – I hope England watch it,” Healy said on SEN Radio.
“It was swinging and bouncing. All the batsmen were playing outrageous shots and getting caught. England watch out, you’re doing the same thing. They’re coming in underdone and our fast bowlers looked fresh and sharp last night.
“Are England going to win a Test? Yes, but I think it will be close, maybe 2-2. Perth is the most important Test. If England lose in Perth they will lose 3-1. Win in Perth it’s 2-2.”
Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood hoped to get a pitch similar to Sunday next month in the first Ashes Test. The surface was full of life and juice, and Hazlewood was borderline unplayable as he finished with figures of 2/20 in 7 overs, bowling 2 maidens in the process as well.
“For sure,” Hazlewood said when asked if he wanted a similar pitch for the first Ashes Test.
“Perth always offers some nice bounce and pace which has served us well in the past, especially with our bowlers who all offer something different.
“It was a nice start. [My] rhythm felt good off the back of New Zealand. Everything is feeling good at the moment, a nice way to start the build [to the Ashes].”
The first Ashes Test will be played in Perth from November 21.