Ashes 2025-26: Mitchell Starc strikes with three as England’s top order crumbles in first Test - WATCH
Australia's Mitchell Starc ripped through England's top order with a three-wicket burst in the first Ashes Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
New Delhi: England got off to a disappointing start after opting to bat first, as Australia’s Mitchell Starc ran through the top order in the first Ashes Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Friday, November 21. The left-arm pacer led the attack from the front, removing Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, and Joe Root cheaply.
Starc struck in the very first over of the innings, removing Zak Crawley for a duck. He bowled a length delivery angled across, which seamed away after pitching, and Crawley tried to drive it through covers but got a thick outside edge to Khawaja at first slip.
He picked up his second wicket of the innings, trapping Ben Duckett lbw for 21 runs. Starc again bowled a length delivery which swung back in, and Duckett tried to keep it out. But he got beaten on the inside edge and pinned on the pad.
Starc got the big wicket of Joe Root, removing the English batter for a seven-ball duck. He bowled a length ball, which seamed away sharply to open Joe Root in his stance. He played it with a closed bat, and a thick outside edge flies to Labuschagne at third slip.
Mitchell Starc completes historic milestone
Starc set the tone for the day with a brilliant bowling spell, which reaffirmed his status as Australia's senior strike bowler. Mitchell Starc becomes the first left-arm pacer to take 100 Ashes wickets, and only the 21st bowler to do so.
Earlier, England won the toss and opted to bat first in the first Ashes Test. The hosts have two 31-year-old debutants in opening batter Jake Weatherald and seamer Brendan Doggett, while England opted for an all-out pace attack, dropping Shoaib Bashir.
Australia (Playing XI): Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith(c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(w), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland.
England (Playing XI): Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Jamie Smith(w), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood.