England were bowled out for 172 on the opening day of the first Ashes Test against Australia in Perth, with Mitchell Starc taking seven wickets for the hosts
England had a disastrous start in the first test of the 2025 Ashes series against Australia. Ben Stokes’ team won the toss and chose to bat on a pitch that seemed perfect for Bazball.
However, the Australians, led by Mitchell Starc, tore through England’s batting line-up with ease. Zak Crawley was sent back to the pavilion without scoring after just six deliveries, while Joe Root’s quest for a century in Australia continues as he was dismissed for zero.
After being bowled out for 172, England had a mountain to climb, but Jofra Archer gave the visitors a fantastic start. Debutant Jake Weatherald was trapped leg before wicket and given out after review, with three others dismissed either side of tea.
Here is a round-up of some of the key moments from the opening day in Perth.
Mitchell Starc’s exceptional spell
While it wasn’t a repeat of the 2021 Ashes with a wicket off the first ball of the series, Starc was the star of the show in the opening session in Perth. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood, two key members of Australia’s formidable bowling attack, were absent from the first test due to injuries.
Starc, however, made his intentions clear right from the start. He dismissed Zak Crawley with the sixth delivery of the opening over.
The England opener attempted a forward defence but edged behind and was caught by Usman Khawaja in the slips after fumbling the first attempt.
The Aussies had drawn first blood, with Starc just warming up. Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope rallied, adding 33 runs before the former was caught lbw by another superb Starc delivery.
Before the hour was up, he’d claimed another big fish, luring Joe Root into a backfoot punch after a series of wider deliveries, only for him to edge behind straight to Marnus Labuschagne. England’s main man was out for a duck.
Starc’s sensational opening spell marks the best start to an Ashes series since Terry Alderman’s 4-68 in 24 overs back in 1981. It’s the 23rd time the Aussie has taken a wicket in his first over, summing up his class.
His magic didn’t end there, bowling Ben Stokes post-lunch before wrapping up with Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson and Mark Wood all caught from Starc deliveries. He ended on a high note with 7-58 in a stunning display.
Joe Root’s Australian nightmare
Much has been said about Joe Root’s elusive century in Australia ahead of the Ashes. Would this series finally see him reach that crucial milestone?
We’ll have to wait and see. Root could only edge Starc’s brilliant delivery behind to Labuschagne in the slips after just seven deliveries.
England’s top batter trudged back to the pavilion, visibly gutted. They’ll need a hefty second innings from their star man to salvage the first test.
Harry Brook half-century
England’s batting performance showed some signs of life, albeit not particularly impressive ones. Ollie Pope managed to score 46 before being caught lbw by Cameron Green.
Pope and Harry Brook injected some much-needed energy into England’s otherwise lacklustre display. The vice-captain hit the series’ first six with a fantastic shot over the cover boundary.
Brook went on to score 52, but that marked the beginning of the end as England’s tail-end crumbled under pressure.
Jofra Archer’s response
England are aware they have a mountain to climb following Australia’s superb bowling performance, but they got off to a great start.
The pre-match chatter centred around their bowling duo of Archer and Mark Wood, and it was Archer who made the initial breakthrough.
Archer bowled fiercely and trapped Weatherald lbw, who had to make the long walk back to the pavilion after just two deliveries.
Steve Smith jibes
Steve Smith has already been embroiled in a verbal spat with former England spinner Monty Panesar this week, and the travelling Barmy Army were quick to join in.
As the Australian captain walked out to bat, the English fans targeted him with chants of ‘We saw you crying on the tele,’ referencing the notorious ball-tampering scandal that shook the cricket world in 2018.
Smith shed tears during a press conference, and the English supporters were quick to remind him.