Australia and England produced a breathtaking first day of Ashes cricket in Perth as 19 wickets tumbled in a whirlwind of pace, bounce, and drama, leaving the match wide open with England holding the edge. Australia ended a bruising day on 123 for 9, still trailing England’s 172 by 49 runs after a sensational fightback from Ben Stokes’ pace brigade.
Mitchell Starc lit up Perth Stadium early, unleashing a fiery 7 for 58, his best Ashes figures to rip through England and dismiss them inside 33 overs. But England’s response was fierce. With Jofra Archer touching 150kph, Brydon Carse hitting his straps, and Stokes delivering a devastating spell of 5 for 23, Australia’s top order was dismantled in a storm of short balls, edges and bruising blows.
Debutant Jake Weatherald fell for a second-ball duck, Labuschagne and Smith were peppered and removed by raw pace, and even the returning Usman Khawaja lasted only briefly before Carse bounced him out. Australia’s only resistance came from Cameron Green and Travis Head before Stokes wiped them out late in the day.
Earlier, England’s aggressive batting approach lasted just 32.5 overs as they crashed from promise to collapse, losing 5 for 12 in a dramatic post-lunch slump. Harry Brook top-scored with 52, while Ollie Pope added 46, but Starc’s relentless pace overshadowed everything.
In front of 51,000 fans and on a pitch offering steep bounce, the opening day delivered classic Ashes theatre. With 19 wickets gone and both teams bruised, Day 2 is set up for another high-intensity battle in Perth.
