Mitchell Starc delivered a sensational all-round bowling performance to help Australia dominate England in the opening Ashes Test at Perth Stadium. The left-arm pacer tore through the English batting lineup, claiming 7/58 in the first innings and 3/55 in the second, finishing with an outstanding match haul of 10/113.
Reflecting on the Test, Starc said, “Sums it up. Travis Head, to take the game on like that and come up trumps was something to watch. Helter-skelter two days. There was a lot said going in but we needed to stick to our guns.”
Australia’s chase of 205 was spearheaded by Travis Head, who counter-attacked brilliantly, scoring 123 off just 83 balls, including 16 fours and four sixes. His explosive innings effectively sealed the game for the hosts.
Starc also praised his fellow bowlers, adding, “Scotty (Scott) Boland came good, Brendan Doggett on debut was fantastic. First time I haven't had Josh (Hazlewood) and Pat (Cummins) around for a while. Didn't change my role at all. If I can just do my role as I've mostly done across the years, that was the plan.”
Boland supported Starc with a superb 4/33 in the second innings, while debutant Brendan Doggett impressed with five wickets across the match, highlighting Australia’s depth in fast bowling.
With Starc’s fiery 10-wicket haul and Head’s astonishing innings, Australia completed an emphatic eight-wicket victory in just two days, taking a confident 1-0 lead in the five-match Ashes series.
