NEW DELHI: There is not an iota of doubt that Joe Root is one of the best Test batters in the world. The top-ranked batter has almost everything in his career that one could aspire to, yet his wait for a Test century in Australia continued as he was dismissed for a duck in the first innings of the first Ashes Test in Perth on Friday.

Mitchell Starc sent Joe Root back to the pavilion for a duck, ending the legendary batter's innings after just seven balls. With that wicket, Starc not only dismantled England's top order but also reached the milestone of 100 wickets in Ashes Tests, cementing his place in cricket history.

Starc delivered a skiddy, back-of-a-length ball that landed on leg stump before seaming away sharply. Root, trapped by the movement, closed his bat face, but a thick outside edge flew toward third slip. Marnus Labuschagne managed a brief juggle, stayed perfectly balanced, and secured the catch, sending Root back for a duck.

Following his dismissal, Root became the subject of widespread mockery on social media. His ongoing struggle to score a Test century in Australia was already under scrutiny, and this duck only intensified the narrative surrounding the English captain.

England, trying to win a Test in Australia for the first time since 2010-11, opted for an all-pace attack led by Jofra Archer and 35-year-old Mark Wood and left spinner Shoaib Bashir out of the XI.

Australia have won 13 and drawn two of their last 15 Ashes Tests in Australia.

The team batting first has won all five Tests played at Perth Stadium - which replaced the WACA as the Western Australian capital's Test venue - and that was a heavy factor in Ben Stokes going against his preferred option of bowling first and chasing.