WATCH: Mitchell Starc pulls off outrageous return catch to dismiss Zak Crawley in 1st Ashes Test

After his brilliant seven-wicket haul on the opening day, Australian pacer Mitchell Starc continued his stellar run on Day 2 of the ongoing first Ashes Test against England in Perth on Saturday. Starc pulled off a sensational diving return catch to dismiss England opener Zak Crawley on a duck and provide the hosts with an early breakthrough in the visitors' second innings.

Starc, who dismissed Crawley on a duck in England's first innings on Day 1, handed the right-hander a second consecutive duck in the Test match by sending him packing in the first over. It was a good length delivery from the Aussie pacer with some extra bounce after pitching. Crawley went for a drive and the ball went up in the air.

Also Read

Guwahati Test, Day 1: South Africa solid at Lunch, India eye wickets

Mitchell Starc becomes 3rd bowler in the world to achieve remarkable WTC feat after heroics in 1st Ashes Test

Australian Open, Badminton: Lakshya Sen beats Chou Tien Chen to storm into final

Starc, who was still in his folowthrough, managed to take a blinder by diving full stretch towards his left. The pacer could have easily lost control, but managed to held on to the ball by extending his left hand. Umpire Sharfuddoula had a look at the catch from all angles and it turned out to be a clean one, providing Australia with a crucial breakthrough.

Starc's catch left his teammates in awe as fans took to social media to heap praise on the veteran fast bowler, who continues to defy age with his performances. His stunning effort could be a strong contender for the catch of the Ashes 2025-26 between England and Australia.

The catch also handed Crawley a pair in the Test match after he was dismissed without managing to open his account in England's first innings. The wicket took Strac's tally to eight in the Test match as he continued his impressive run with the ball. Starc has arguably been Australia's standout bowler in the first Ashes Test so far.

After Crawley's dismissal, his opening partner Ben Duckett joined hands with Ollie Pope to share an unbeaten stand of 59 runs for the second wicket and guide the visitors to 59/1 at Lunch on Day 2 in Perth. Duckett scored an unbeaten 28, while Pope remained not out on 24 as England headed into Lunch with a healthy lead of 99 runs.

Earlier on Day 1, England managed to secure a 40-run lead despite being bowled out for 172 runs in their first innings. Led by skipper Ben Stokes, the visitors fought back to bundle out Australia for a paltry 132 runs in their first innings and secure a 40-run lead. After Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse ran through Australia's top-order, Stokes bagged a fifer to help the visitors bundle out Steve Smith & Co. for 132.