Australia made a dominating start to the 2025-26 Ashes series as Mitchell Starc stole the spotlight on the opening day of the first Test in Perth. Starc’s fiery bowling dismantled England’s top order, leaving the visitors struggling from the very first over.
England’s Early Collapse
England won the toss and elected to bat, hoping to set the tone on a green-tinged Perth pitch. However, Australia’s pace attack immediately put them under pressure. Starc struck in the first over, sending Zak Crawley back to the pavilion for a duck. The delivery, swinging sharply away from the batter, found the edge and was safely taken by slip.
This early blow set the momentum firmly in Australia’s favor. The English batters struggled to find any rhythm as Starc continued his relentless attack, and by the end of the session, England had already lost crucial wickets, creating an uphill battle for the remainder of the day.
Starc Reaches Milestone
Amid his destructive spell, Starc achieved a major career milestone, claiming his 100th Ashes wicket by dismissing England captain Joe Root. This achievement makes Starc one of the most successful left-arm seamers in Ashes history, and his ability to take wickets with pace and precision was evident throughout the session.
Starc’s combination of bounce, swing, and sheer speed kept England on the defensive. His performance not only boosted Australia’s confidence but also reminded cricket fans why he is considered a key figure in the Australian bowling lineup.
England’s Struggles
After losing Crawley and Root, England’s middle order tried to resist, but Ben Duckett and other batters found it difficult to cope with the pressure. Starc’s early strikes forced England to play cautiously, and any aggressive shot often ended with the ball in Australian hands.
The visitors’ approach looked tentative against one of the most in-form bowlers in world cricket, and the day ended with Australia clearly in control.
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Australian Bowling Depth
Even without some of their senior bowlers, Australia’s bowling unit showcased remarkable depth. All-rounders and debutants contributed to building pressure, ensuring England could not settle at the crease. Starc led the way, supported by tight fielding and strategic bowling changes.
This combination of skill and strategy left England with few options, and Australia’s dominance was evident from start to finish.
What This Means for the Series
- Australia Advantage: Starc’s early strikes give Australia a strong psychological edge heading into the rest of the series.
- England Challenges: The early collapse highlights weaknesses in England’s batting lineup and puts pressure on the middle order to adapt in coming sessions.
- Pace over Spin: With conditions favoring fast bowlers, Australia’s reliance on pace looks justified and sets the tone for future Tests in the series.