Ashes 1st Test: Starc, Stokes highlight enthralling opening day at Perth

New Delhi: The Ashes 2025-26 proved worth the wait as Test cricket was witnessed at its peak on the first day of the first Test match between Australia and England at Perth. Not just did the record attendance of over 50000 people at Optus stadium unfurl magic but it was the battle between the two toughest sides which were successful in reigniting the age-old rivalry.

After England won the toss and opted to bat first, Mitchell Starc led the destruction from the front by picking up 7 English wickets to push them against the wall in the series opener. Starc ripped through the quality English batters who were not expecting something of such sort especially keeping in mind their batting-heavy side.

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While Starc was on a roll for the home team, Brendan Doggett and Cameron Green further devastated the English side with 2 and 1 wicket respectively to skittle out the opposition for a meager score of 172 runs in 32.5 overs. Harry Brook (52) and Ollie Pope (46) were the only two batters from the side who showcased some courage in front on the deadly Australian bowlers. Jamie Smith also mustered some courage to score 33 quick runs but failed to take his score forward.

After the Aussies were successful in rattling the English team and bundling them out on a low score, they were in a perfect pole position to secure dominance in the Test match but skipper Ben Stokes wreaked havoc on the Aussie batters to leave them struggling at day end. Stokes picked up 5 wickets in just 6 overs to help England bounce back in the game.

Apart from Stokes, Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer also picked up two wickets apiece to leave Australia reeling at 123/9, still trailing England (172) by 49 runs. While the crowd witnessed some courage exhibited by couple of English batters but the Australia batters were left completely devastated by the English bowling unit.

Alex Carey emerged as the highest scorer with 26 runs while Cameron Green and Travis Head scored 24 and 21 runs respectively.