19 wickets fell on Day 1 of the Ashes! Read the full report on how Mitchell Starc’s 7-wicket haul was eclipsed by Ben Stokes’ dramatic 5-wicket masterclass, collapsing Australia to 123/9. Chaos, drama, and the biggest turning point decoded.
🏴 England 1st Innings: Total 172 (32.5 Overs)
| Player Name | Runs (R) | Balls (B) |
| Z. Crawley | 0 | 6 |
| B. Duckett | 21 | 20 |
| O. Pope | 46 | 58 |
| J. Root | 0 | 7 |
| H. Brook | 52 | 61 |
| B. Stokes (c) | 6 | 12 |
| J. Smith (wk) | 33 | 22 |
| G. Atkinson | 1 | 2 |
| B. Carse | 6 | 9 |
| J. Archer | 0* | 1 |
| M. Wood | 0 | 1 |
🇦🇺 Australia 1st Innings: Total 123/9 (39.0 Overs)
| Player Name | Runs (R) | Balls (B) |
| J. Weatherald | 0 | 2 |
| M. Labuschagne | 9 | 41 |
| S. Smith (c) | 17 | 49 |
| U. Khawaja | 2 | 6 |
| T. Head | 21 | 35 |
| C. Green | 24 | 50 |
| A. Carey (wk) | 26 | 26 |
| M. Starc | 12 | 12 |
| N. Lyon | 3* | 13 |
| S. Boland | 0 | 2 |
| B. Doggett | 0* | 0 |
The highly anticipated Ashes series began with an absolute bang in Perth, as an astonishing 19 wickets tumbled on a chaotic Day 1, leaving England with a slender but significant advantage over Australia. The day was a tale of two collapses, defined by sensational pace bowling performances from Mitchell Starc and, ultimately, a game-changing, inspirational spell from England captain Ben Stokes.
Winning the toss and choosing to bat on a lively Optus Stadium surface—a decision that flew in the face of conventional wisdom—Ben Stokes’ England side were bundled out for just 172 in a mere 32.5 overs. This aggressive approach, typical of the ‘Bazball’ era, quickly ran into the unforgiving reality of Australian conditions and the venom of their left-arm quick, Mitchell Starc.
Starc’s Scintillating Seven-Wicket Haul
Starc, in the absence of injured frontline quicks Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, delivered a career-best performance, tearing through the English lineup with a sensational return of 7 wickets for 58 runs. The tone was set immediately when Starc dismissed Zak Crawley with the sixth ball of the match. His impeccable line, raw pace, and late swing were unplayable, leaving England reeling at 39/3 with both Ben Duckett and the usually immovable Joe Root—still searching for his maiden Test century in Australia—back in the pavilion for single digits.
A counter-attacking 55-run partnership between Ollie Pope (46) and a dazzling Harry Brook (52 off 61 balls) provided a brief moment of resistance and Bazball brilliance. However, a lower-order collapse saw England lose their last five wickets for only 12 runs, including the key wicket of Ben Stokes himself, bowled by a Starc missile. Debutant Brendan Doggett also chipped in with two crucial wickets, showcasing Australia’s pace depth.
The Stokes Factor: An All-Pace Counter-Attack
With only 172 on the board, England faced an uphill battle. But true to their ‘never-say-die’ attitude, the all-pace attack led by the returning Jofra Archer and a fired-up Brydon Carse immediately brought the heat.
Australia’s response was rocky from the start. Jofra Archer struck early, trapping debutant Jake Weatherald for a second-ball duck. The drama deepened as Usman Khawaja’s delayed entry to the crease due to back stiffness forced Marnus Labuschagne to open. The reshuffled top order struggled against a relentless English pace barrage, which consistently hit the 90 mph mark.
The critical breakthrough came when Brydon Carse removed Steve Smith (17) with a fine edge to the slips. Carse followed up by dismissing the late-arriving Khawaja, leaving Australia’s innings in tatters at 31/4.
Captain Fantastic’s Golden Arm
Just as Travis Head (21) and Cameron Green (24) began to consolidate the innings, building a promising 45-run stand, Ben Stokes introduced himself into the attack. What followed was a breathtaking display of fast-medium bowling and tactical brilliance. Stokes, relying on aggressive field placements and persistent pressure, delivered a remarkable spell, claiming his second Test five-wicket haul on Australian soil in just six overs.
Stokes first removed Head and Green in quick succession, breaking the vital partnership. He then tore through the lower order, dismissing Mitchell Starc, Alex Carey, and Scott Boland to complete a phenomenal 5/23. The sight of the English captain roaring in, demanding intensity, was the decisive factor that shifted the momentum entirely.
At Stumps, Australia were reeling at 123/9, still trailing England by 49 runs. The day saw a record number of wickets fall at the Perth Stadium, confirming that this Ashes series will be a high-octane, unforgettable spectacle. Despite their own batting fragility, England’s unwavering belief and their captain’s golden arm have handed them the early psychological edge.
Day 2 promises more drama as Australia’s final pair attempts to whittle away the remaining deficit, knowing every run will be fiercely contested.
