Perth, Nov 21 (UNI) Australia were 123 for 9 in 39 overs at the close of Day 1 of the opening Ashes Test at Perth Stadium, after England’s innings was dominated and ultimately destroyed by Mitchell Starc’s fiery spell, only for England captain Ben Stokes to strike back with a brilliant five-wicket burst during Australia’s reply.
Total attendance for the day was 51,531.
England had earlier found some resistance through Harry Brook, who fought valiantly after lunch, reaching 50 off 58 balls with five fours and a six.
Brook’s innings ended in the 29.5th over when he was caught by Carey off Brendan Doggett. Jamie Smith made 33 but fell soon after, caught by Green off Starc, signalling the beginning of England’s collapse.
Starc’s devastating first-innings spell saw him claim seven wickets, including Ben Stokes (6), Harry Brook (52), Jamie Smith (33), and Mark Wood (0), while Cameron Green trapped Ollie Pope (46) lbw. Extras contributed seven runs in England’s 172 all out in 32.5 overs.
Brydon Carse (6) and Jofra Archer (0) failed to make an impact, and key catches by Labuschagne and Carey helped Australia clean up the tail.
Australia began their reply cautiously. Debutant J Weatherald was trapped lbw by Jofra Archer for a duck in the second ball of the innings.
Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith then steadied the innings with confident strokeplay. Labuschagne drove for a four off Archer in the fifth over but was later bowled by Archer for 9. Steve Smith contributed 7 at tea as Australia reached 15/1 in 10 overs.
In the last session, Australia lost wickets at regular intervals but showed fight through Travis Head and Cameron Green. By drinks, they were 53/4, having reached 50 runs in 23.2 overs and 100 runs in 32.6 overs.
After drinks, Stokes turned the momentum back with a fiery spell. He struck in quick succession, removing Cameron Green (24), Travis Head (21), Mitchell Starc (12), Alex Carey (26), and Boland (0) to finish with a five-wicket haul in just six overs.
The wickets included a mix of edges to slips and catches by Brook and Carse, showcasing Stokes’ experience and aggression in counterattacking conditions.
England’s bowling combined with sharp fielding brought Australia under pressure, leaving them 123/9 at the close.
England will look to clean up the tail early on Day 2 to restrict Australia’s first-innings lead, while the visitors will aim to add crucial runs with the tail and consolidate their position in a tense opening Test.
