Mitchell Starc produced the best bowling performance of his Test career, claiming a career-best 7/58 to blow England away for just 172 on the opening day of the Ashes at Perth Stadium. The left-arm quick was absolutely devastating with the new ball, setting the tone from the very first over and never letting England settle into any rhythm whatsoever.
Ben Stokes’ decision to bat first backfired spectacularly as Starc ran through the English lineup in just 32.5 overs. It was old-fashioned fast bowling at its finest – the kind that reminds you why the Ashes remains cricket’s greatest rivalry. On a pitch offering pace and bounce, Starc was unplayable at times, exploiting the conditions brilliantly.
England Collapsed In 32.5 Overs
The carnage began immediately when Starc trapped Zak Crawley for a duck in his opening over, and from there, England simply couldn’t recover. Joe Root followed soon after, also dismissed without scoring, as the visitors found themselves reeling at 39/3. Harry Brook (52) and Ollie Pope (46) showed some resistance with fighting knocks, but whenever a partnership threatened to develop, Starc would strike again.
Jamie Smith played a typically aggressive innings of 33 off just 22 balls, but it felt more like defiance than a genuine recovery. The most remarkable aspect was how Starc kept coming back for more – every time England thought they’d weathered the storm, he’d produce another unplayable delivery. His final spell was absolutely brutal, claiming the last three wickets in the space of four balls to wrap up the innings.
Historic Achievement At The Perfect Venue
This wasn’t just any seven-wicket haul – it was Starc’s best-ever figures in Test cricket, surpassing his previous best of 6/9 that came in his previous innings against the West Indies. To achieve it in an Ashes Test, on Australian soil, in front of a roaring Perth crowd, makes it even more special. He became only the second Australian bowler this century to take seven wickets on the opening day of an Ashes Test at home.
As Australia began their reply, trailing by 172, the match is perfectly poised. But make no mistake – this day belonged entirely to Mitchell Starc, who reminded everyone why he’s considered one of the most dangerous fast bowlers in world cricket.
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