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England blasted as 'brainless'
Cape Argus
|November 24, 2025
A STUNNED England woke on Sunday to savage criticism after their meek capitulation in the first Ashes Test, branded “brainless” and “damaged” by former greats after their cavalier approach backfired.
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Ben Stokes’s men lost the opening battle in Perth by eight wickets inside two days on the back of batting collapses and Travis Head slamming a sensational sixty-nine-ball century. Since last claiming an Ashes series in Australia 15-years ago, they have now lost 14 Tests, drawn two and won none Down Under.
England had a perfect opportunity to snap the dire streak and earn a psychological advantage heading into the day-night second Test in Brisbane on December 4. But after reaching 160/5, the tourists lost five wickets for 12 runs to be bowled out for 172 on day one, before regaining the advantage after dismissing Australia for 132.
This story is from the November 24, 2025 edition of Cape Argus.
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