A historic and unprecedented event unfolded during the opening Ashes Test in Perth as cricket witnessed a feat never before recorded in nearly 150 years of Test matches. For the first time in the sport’s storied history, the first wicket in each of the match’s first three innings fell before a single run had been scored—a statistical anomaly that left players, pundits and fans astounded.
The sequence began on Friday when England opener Zak Crawley edged a delivery from Mitchell Starc straight to the slip cordon in the very first over of the match. England’s scoreboard still read 0 as Crawley trudged back to the pavilion, setting the stage for a batting collapse that eventually saw the visitors dismissed for 173.
Australia’s reply offered no respite. England pacer Jofra Archer trapped opener Jake Weatherald leg-before on just the second delivery of the innings. Initially turned down by the on-field umpire, England successfully overturned the decision using the Decision Review System (DRS). Once again, the scoreboard showed 0/1, continuing the extraordinary trend.
The pattern reached its zenith on Saturday when England, starting their second innings under pressure, lost Crawley yet again in the very first over. Starc’s exquisite delivery bowled Crawley, with a sharp diving return catch completing the dismissal. England once more began an innings at 0/1, completing a trio of first-innings wickets before any runs had been scored—a feat never before seen in Ashes history.
Unfortunately for Crawley, this sequence delivered a personal milestone, albeit an unwanted one. He became only the fourth English opener to record a pair in Ashes cricket, joining Trevor Bailey (1959), Dennis Amiss (1975) and Michael Atherton (1998).
The opening Test in Perth has already etched itself into cricketing folklore, serving as a reminder of the relentless pressure of Ashes cricket and the unpredictability that makes the series one of the sport’s greatest spectacles.