Perth, Australia - England and Australia faced off in a dramatic opening day of the 2025 Ashes series at the Optus Stadium in Perth, which saw a staggering 19 wickets fall. After winning the toss, England's captain, Ben Stokes, chose to bat, a decision that quickly backfired as the English batting lineup collapsed against a fierce Australian pace attack, led by Mitchell Starc. However, Stokes spearheaded a remarkable fightback with the ball, leaving the hosts struggling at 123/9 at the end of the day, trailing by 49 runs.
Starc's Career-Best Performance
Mitchell Starc was the star of the first two sessions, claiming a career-best 7-58. Starc struck in the very first over, dismissing Zak Crawley for a duck. He then removed Ben Duckett (21) and the world's number one ranked batter, Joe Root, also for a duck, leaving England in dire straits at 39/3. Root's dismissal marked Starc's 100th Ashes wicket. Only Harry Brook (52) and Ollie Pope (46) offered some resistance, guiding England to 105/4 at lunch. However, after the break, England lost their last six wickets for just 67 runs, collapsing to 172 all out in just 32.5 overs. Brendan Doggett, on his debut, took 2-27, including the crucial wicket of Brook.
England's Pace Gamble Pays Off
England opted for an all-pace attack, a decision that appeared questionable after their batting collapse. However, their pace bowlers responded emphatically, exploiting the pace and bounce of the Perth pitch. Jofra Archer dismissed debutant Jake Weatherald with just his second delivery. Archer also accounted for Marnus Labuschagne, while Brydon Carse removed Steve Smith (17) and Usman Khawaja in quick succession.
Stokes Leads From the Front
With Australia at 31/4, Ben Stokes introduced himself into the attack and turned the game on its head. He dismissed Travis Head, Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, Alex Carey, and Scott Boland in a devastating spell, finishing with 5-23 in just six overs. Stokes became the first England captain in 43 years to take a five-wicket haul in the Ashes. His efforts ensured England took a 49-run lead into Day 2.
Nineteen wickets fell throughout the day, the most on the opening day of an Ashes Test in over a century. The previous instance was in 1909 at Old Trafford. At stumps, Australia were 123/9, with Nathan Lyon (3) and Brendan Doggett (0) at the crease.
