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England seize control after 19 wickets fall on frenetic Ashes opener
Perth witnessed a historic first day of the Ashes on Friday as England's pace attack dismantled Australia after a batting collapse, with 19 wickets falling in a single day-leaving the tourists 49 runs ahead at stumps.
England, bowled out for just 172 in 32.5 overs, responded with a ferocious bowling display to reduce Australia to 123-9 by the close. Captain Ben Stokes led the charge with 5-23, while Jofra Archer (2-11) and debutant Brydon Carse (2-45) applied relentless pressure on a lively Perth pitch.
England's batting collapse sets chaotic tone
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, England's aggressive 'Bazball' approach backfired spectacularly. Mitchell Starc (7-58) tore through the lineup, dismissing Zak Crawley for a duck with the sixth ball of the match. Only Harry Brook (52) and Ollie Pope (46) offered resistance before England lost their last five wickets for just 12 runs-their shortest first innings in Australia since 1902.
The collapse included a bizarre moment when Brook walked off before Australia's review for his dismissal was completed, adding to the day's drama.
Stokes and Archer spearhead England's bowling blitz
England's five-pronged pace attack, featuring the returning Mark Wood and the express Jofra Archer, unleashed a barrage of short-pitched bowling that left Australia reeling. Archer, consistently clocking over 90 mph, trapped Jake Weatherald lbw with his second delivery, setting the tone for a relentless assault.
Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith-promoted up the order due to Usman Khawaja's absence-struggled against the hostility, with Smith falling to Carse for 12. Stokes then dismantled the lower order, claiming his second five-wicket haul in as many Tests since returning from injury.
"This was as good as I've seen from an England attack in Australia. The pace, the aggression-it was sensational."
Michael Vaughan, former England captain
Starc's seven-wicket haul fuels Australia's early fire
Earlier, Starc's career-best figures had ripped through England's batting. The left-armer dismissed Crawley in the first over and later cleaned up the tail, exploiting England's reckless shot selection. Only Brook's counterattacking 52-featuring a towering six off Scott Boland-provided brief resistance before England's innings unraveled.
Boland, filling in for the injured Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, leaked 62 runs in 10 overs, while Cameron Green claimed the key wicket of Pope, trapping him lbw for 46.
Echoes of 2023 as Perth delivers another day-one classic
The match drew parallels to last year's Perth Test, when India bowled Australia out for 104 after being skittled for 150 themselves. Then, India won by 295 runs. Now, England-chasing their first away Ashes victory in 14 years-find themselves in a commanding position after a day former captain Nasser Hussain called "one of the greatest in Ashes history."
With a 49-run lead and Australia's top order exposed, England's batters face a golden opportunity to press their advantage on day two. A strong second-innings performance could put them on the brink of a 1-0 series lead.
Key moments
- 0.6 overs: Starc removes Crawley for a duck, setting the tone.
- 17th over: Brook's aggressive 52 revitalizes England before their collapse.
- 25th over: Archer's 90+ mph spell dismantles Australia's top order.
- 38th over: Stokes takes three wickets in 11 balls to seal Australia's fate.
