Living up to its immense pre-series hype, the first Ashes Test exploded into action with furious momentum swings as pace bowlers from both sides wrestled for control on a lively, bouncy Perth Stadium deck. What unfolded was a breathtaking opening chapter to the series, fast, volatile and utterly compelling.
By stumps, England remarkably held the advantage after 19 wickets tumbled in front of a crowd, capping a wildly dramatic opening day that kept both camps on edge.
Mitchell Starc shines, then England roar back on the first day of Ashes
Mitchell Starc, stepping up in the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, set the tone with a sensational spell to begin the Ashes. He tore through England with career-best figures of 7 for 58, skittling the visitors for just 172. His mastery with the new ball—relentless pace, steep bounce, vicious movement left England reeling.
But the visitors struck back emphatically. Taking cues from Starc’s success, England’s all-out pace battery attacked a reshuffled Australian top order. Usman Khawaja, who spent time off the field during England’s innings due to back stiffness, was unable to open, forcing Marnus Labuschagne to partner Test debutant Jake Weatherald.
Weatherald’s introduction to Ashes cricket was short-lived. Just like Nathan McSweeney’s difficult debut a year earlier on the same ground, he endured a hostile baptism, trapped lbw by Jofra Archer for a second-ball duck.
At No. 3, Ollie Pope arrived with the confidence of a strong Lilac Hill warm-up under his belt and played with composed aggression, crisp drives, assured footwork, and a balanced tempo. His fluency helped England push the scoring despite a noticeably sluggish outfield still recovering from a Metallica concert held just three weeks earlier.
Ben Duckett, however, never settled against Starc’s pace. After moving to 21, he became another victim of the left-armer’s speed, trapped lbw following an unsuccessful review. Joe Root walked in during the ninth over with another opportunity to chase that elusive century in Australia, but Starc was irresistible. A brilliant delivery that pitched on leg and straightened sharply clipped Root’s edge for his 100th Ashes wicket, prompting a roaring celebration.
At that stage, Starc had 3 for 10 from just five overs. Yet Harry Brook refused to be intimidated. In his first Test innings in Australia, he counterpunched boldly, though with mixed execution. His stay ended when he gloved a short ball from Brendan Doggett, who was appealing half-heartedly before his teammates erupted around him in jubilation as he claimed his maiden Test wicket.
Doggett, presented his cap earlier in the day by Scott Boland and former South Australia coach Jason Gillespie, struck again with another short ball to dismiss Brydon Carse, deepening England’s collapse.
Starc completed the innings with two wickets in two balls, earning a rousing ovation as he walked off. But, in a twist emblematic of the day’s chaos, he trudged off much more quietly just a few hours later dismissed amid England’s fierce resurgence with the ball as the match turned on its head once more.
