Former England bowler Chris Woakes has thanked Australia for what he calls a 'small advantage' after the decision to start the Ashes series in Perth rather than Brisbane. The first Test begins on November 21 at Optus Stadium, marking the first time since 1982 that the series has opened in Perth and breaking a long tradition of starting at the Gabba.
Australia have a dominant record at the Gabba, with seven wins from 10 Ashes Tests since 1986. England have suffered heavy defeats there in recent tours, including a nine-wicket loss in 2017 and a 381-run defeat in 2013. Woakes described the Gabba as having a 'baggage' factor for England, making the change a welcome surprise.
Optus Stadium has never hosted an Ashes Test, as its debut in 2021 was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. The pitch conditions remain uncertain, with no Sheffield Shield matches played there in the lead-up. Woakes noted that Perth offers extreme bounce and pace, making it a challenging but potentially less daunting start for the tourists.
England's preparations include a warm-up match against the England Lions from Thursday to Saturday. The squad features pacemen Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, who Woakes believes are well-equipped for Australian conditions. He emphasised that the team will need different players to step up at various times throughout the series.
