Australia and England achieve unwanted feat after three consecutive 0-run opening stands in 1st Ashes Test
In a historic first, the first three innings of the 1st Ashes Test between Australia and England in Perth saw three 0-run opening partnerships.
The ongoing first Test between Australia and England in the Ashes 2025-26 etched its name in history after a record three 0-run opening stands in the first three innings of the match. In a first, there were zero-run opening partnerships in the first three innings of a Test match as the two teams achieved an unwanted feat in Perth.
England opener Zak Crawley was dismissed on a duck during his side's second innings on Day 2 as the first Ashes Test saw three straight 0-run opening stands. Mitchell Starc, who removed Crawley on a duck in England's first innings, produced a sensational return catch to hand him a pair in the Test match.
Earlier, England recorded a 0-run opening stand in their first innings after Starc dismissed Crawley on a six-ball duck on Day 1 of the Test match in Perth. Australia's first innings also saw a 0-run opening stand after debutant opener Jake Weatherald was cleaned up on a 2-ball duck by Jofra Archer on the opening day.
In a remarkable first, the Perth Test saw the opening partnerships in the first three innings of a match failing to register a run. No other match in Test history has witnessed a wicket falling before a run being scored in each of the first three innings.
However, there have been three Test matches, where two teams have recorded at least three 0-run opening stands across all four innings. The Sydney Test between Australia and Pakistan in January 2024 saw the two teams record three 0-run opening stands in four innings.
Three 0-run opening stands in a Test match:
Australia v England, Brisbane 1950/51
Australia v Pakistan, Sydney 2023/24
Australia v England, Perth 2025/26
Starc, Boland wreak havoc in England's 2nd innings
After his seven-wicket haul in the first innings, Starc continued his heroics with the ball for Australia during England's second innings. He combined with Scott Boland to wreak havoc on the visitors post Lunch on Day 2. The duo picked up three wickets apiece to reduce England to 136/7 in 31 overs.
Starc drew the first blood for Australia by removing Crawley on a duck before Boland broke the 65-run stand between Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope, removing both batters in quick succession. Boland also dismissed Harry Brook on a duck, while Starc cleaned up Joe Root cheaply on 8 off 11 balls.
Starc didn't stop there as he returned to bag the prized scalp of Ben Stokes, dismissing him cheaply on 12 off 11 balls to leave England reeling in their second innings. Having amassed a 40-run lead from their first innings, England will be hoping to hand Australia a target close to 200 runs in their second innings.