England suffered a heavy blow on the opening day of the first Ashes Test at Perth. Australian pacer Mitchell Starc delivered a brilliant bowling performance, taking 7 wickets for 58 runs, dismissing England for just 172.
Ben Stokes picked up 5 wickets for 23 runs, providing some resistance, but England’s overall collapse leaves them facing a steep challenge in their second innings.
Travis Head said, “When I reached 50–60 runs, momentum clearly swung in our favour. The start was challenging, but the process was correct.” He added, “We wanted to set the tone for the series with this first match.”
England now faces a tough task. The first innings failure has left them under pressure, while Australia’s bowling attack remains dominant. By the end of day one, it was clear that England still has a long climb ahead.
Key Statistics
| Aspect | Data |
|---|---|
| Starc’s Bowling | 7 wickets – 58 runs |
| England’s Innings | 172 all out |
| Total Wickets on Day 1 | 19 wickets |
| Stokes’ Bowling | 5 wickets – 23 runs |
