The opening day of the Ashes 1st Test has already produced a rare statistical moment. For the first time in the history of Ashes Test cricket, both Australia and England recorded an opening partnership of zero in their respective first innings.
England lost Zak Crawley for a duck in the very first over, trapped by Mitchell Starc. Later, when Australia began their reply, debutant Jake Weatherald also fell for a duck, lbw to Jofra Archer on just the second ball he faced.
This is the first-ever instance in an Ashes Test where:
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England’s opening stand: 0/1
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Australia’s opening stand: 0/1
Two wickets, two ducks, both openers dismissed early — a statistical quirk never witnessed before in the 142-year history of the Ashes.
The Ashes has seen dramatic opening sessions over the decades, but never has a Test begun with both teams’ opening partnerships wiped out without a run on the board.
