In a breathtaking start to the Ashes series, a staggering 19 wickets tumbled on a dramatic opening day in Perth, setting the stage for a fiercely contested battle.
England's Batting Collapse
England, choosing to bat first, were dismissed for a modest 172 runs in less than 33 overs. The innings was derailed by a spectacular bowling performance from Australia's Mitchell Starc, who achieved career-best figures of seven for 58. The English top order faltered significantly, with both Zak Crawley and Joe Root recording ducks.
Amid the collapse, Harry Brook provided a lone hand of resistance, playing a fearless innings. He scored a vital 52 from just 61 balls before his dismissal triggered a further slump in the middle and lower order, leaving England with a below-par total.
Stokes Leads Fiery Bowling Response
Facing a daunting task, England's bowlers mounted an aggressive and immediate fightback. Captain Ben Stokes led from the front with a magnificent bowling spell, claiming five wickets for just 23 runs to rip through the Australian batting lineup.
He was ably supported by pacemen Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse, who took two wickets each. Their combined efforts left the home side reeling at 123 for nine at the close of play, turning what seemed like an Australian advantage into a nail-bitingly close contest.
A Perfectly Poised Contest
The wild first day has left the Test match perfectly poised. With Australia still trailing by 49 runs and only one wicket remaining, the stage is set for another enthralling session. This remarkable fightback, spearheaded by Stokes, has reignited English hopes and promises an unpredictable and thrilling continuation of the Ashes series.
