Mitchell Starc produced a career-defining spell at the Perth Stadium on Friday, registering his first-ever seven-wicket haul in Test cricket as Australia steamrolled England for just 172 in 32.5 overs on Day 1 of the Ashes opener.
The left-arm quick, already one of Australia’s most prolific wicket-takers, reached a new personal milestone with figures of 7/58, his best in Test cricket. Starc struck with the very first over of the match, removing Zak Crawley for a duck, and never loosened his grip thereafter.
Starc’s historic spell
This is the first time in his 82-Test career that Starc has taken seven wickets in an innings, despite having multiple six-wicket hauls in the past. The spell combined pace, swing, and clever variations as he dismantled England’s top order and tail alike.
Key dismissals included:
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Zak Crawley (0) – edged to Khawaja in the first over
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Ben Duckett (21) – trapped LBW
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Joe Root (0) – edged behind to Labuschagne
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Ben Stokes (6) – beaten for pace
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Jamie Smith (33) – miscued pull to Green
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Mark Wood (0) – final wicket of the innings
With Starc breathing fire, England never recovered from the early shock.
England’s innings in brief
Harry Brook (52 off 61) and Ollie Pope (46 off 58) offered resistance with a 50-run stand, but the innings fell apart rapidly once that partnership ended. From 94/3, England collapsed to 172 all out.
Australia’s bowling summary
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Mitchell Starc: 12.5 – 4 – 58 – 7
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Brendan Doggett: 7 – 1 – 27 – 2
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Cameron Green: 1 – 0 – 10 – 1
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Nathan Lyon: 2 – 0 – 10 – 0
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Scott Boland: 10 – 0 – 62 – 0
Starc’s breakthrough performance headlines a dominant start for Australia in the series — and marks one of the finest Ashes spells of the modern era.
