Mitchell Starc produced a spell for the ages in Perth, ripping through England with a devastating seven-wicket haul as the visitors were bundled out for just 172 in 32.5 overs on Day 1 of the first Ashes Test.
England, who won the toss and opted to bat on a lively Perth surface, were rocked early and never recovered. Starc set the tone in the very first over, dismissing Zak Crawley for a duck. What followed was a relentless exhibition of pace, swing and accuracy as he ran through the top and lower order with equal ferocity.
Starc’s final figures: 12.5 overs, 4 maidens, 58 runs, 7 wickets (7/58) — one of the finest Ashes spells by an Australian quick in modern times.
How England collapsed
Ben Duckett (21), Joe Root (0), Ben Stokes (6), Jamie Smith (33), Gus Atkinson (1) and finally Mark Wood (0) were all dismissed by Starc, who kept picking wickets at regular intervals.
Key resistance came from Harry Brook, who top-scored with 52 off 61, and Ollie Pope with a fighting 46 off 58, before both fell in quick succession to Brendan Doggett and Cameron Green respectively.
England lost their last six wickets for 67 runs in just 10 overs, underscoring the dominance of the Australian attack.
Australia bowlers – Performance 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
Only Doggett and Green broke through apart from Starc, who single-handedly destroyed England.
England 1st Innings – Scorecard Highlights
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Harry Brook: 52 (61), 5×4, 1×6
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Ollie Pope: 46 (58), 4×4
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Jamie Smith: 33 (22), 6×4
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Total: 172 all out in 32.5 overs
The innings came to a close when Starc removed Mark Wood in the 33rd over, completing his seventh wicket and sealing a dream opening session for Australia.
