The Ashes burst into chaos on Friday as Perth Stadium delivered one of the wildest opening days in the rivalry’s history. A staggering 19 wickets fell — the most on Day 1 of an Ashes Test in over a century — turning the match into a rollercoaster of pace, precision, and pure drama.
Starc’s Fiery 7-58 Wrecks England
Under clear Perth skies, Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bat. But England’s innings never found stability.
Mitchell Starc, bowling with trademark swing and aggression, ripped through the top order to complete a sensational 7-58 — his 17th five-wicket haul in Tests.
Zak Crawley fell for a duck, Ben Duckett followed soon after, and Joe Root lasted just seven balls. Only Harry Brook (52) and Ollie Pope (46) offered some resistance before England were bundled out for 172 shortly after lunch.
Wickets on Day 1 at Perth Stadium
- 2025: 19 (Aus vs Eng)
- 2024: 17 (Aus vs Ind)
- 2018–23: 15 (across four Tests)
Most wickets on Day 1 of an Ashes Test in the last 100 years
- 19 – Perth, 2025 (Eng 10, Aus 9)
- 17 – Trent Bridge, 2001
- 17 – Lord’s, 2005
England Fight Back as Australia Collapse to 31-4
Just when Australia seemed in full control, England’s bowlers flipped the script.
Jofra Archer’s raw pace dismissed debutant Jake Weatherald for a second-ball duck, before wiping out Marnus Labuschagne after a gritty 41-ball stay. Steve Smith’s attempted rescue act ended on 17, edging Brydon Carse to slip.
Carse, in a fiery spell, also removed Usman Khawaja — who didn’t open due to stiffness — leaving Australia reeling at 31-4.
Though Cameron Green (24), Travis Head (21), Alex Carey (26), and even Starc (12) made starts, none could survive England’s relentless pressure.
Stokes Scripting Another Twist: A Devastating 5-23
With the match hanging in the balance, Stokes brought himself into the attack — and instantly changed the mood again.
The England captain produced a brilliant spell, tearing through Australia’s middle and lower order to finish with 5-23.
By stumps, Australia slumped to 123-9, still 49 runs behind England. Nathan Lyon remained unbeaten on 3, with Brendan Doggett yet to score.
Brydon Carse summed up the chaos perfectly:
“Everyone who came today certainly got their money’s worth — 19 wickets.”
A Day for the Ashes History Books
From Starc’s destruction to Stokes’ comeback spell, Perth served up a breathtaking spectacle.
Not since the early 1900s has an Ashes Test opened with such a flurry of wickets, placing this dramatic day above classics like Trent Bridge 2001 and Lord’s 2005.
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