NEW DELHI: Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc picked up right where he left off in the first innings, striking in the first over of the second innings of the opening Ashes Test in Perth on Saturday.

Starc produced a sensational one-handed catch on his follow-through to dismiss England opener Zak Crawley for a duck. Crawley suffered a pair, having also been dismissed for zero by Starc in the first over of England's first innings. This was the 25th time Starc took a wicket in the first over of a Test.

This was also the first instance of a wicket falling before a run was scored in each of the first three innings of a Test. Aussie opener Jake Weatherald fell for a duck on debut, trapped by Jofra Archer in the first over.

Crawley attempted a full-drive, sending the ball straight down the pitch, but Starc miraculously stretched out his left hand in his follow-through and held on, despite his body momentum carrying him the other way.

The on-field umpires referred the decision to the third umpire to check whether the ball had been grounded. After multiple replays, it was confirmed that Starc's fingers remained under the ball, and the wicket was given.

Starc took a career-best 7/58 in the first innings to help Australia bundled England out for 172. However, England hit back, bowling the hosts for 132 and taking a crucial 40-run frst innings lead.