Chaos in Perth as 19 Wickets Fall on Sensational Opening Day
The Ashes exploded into life with a breathtaking display of fast bowling as 19 wickets tumbled on a wild first day in Perth. England, bowled out for a modest 172, staged a spectacular fightback to leave Australia reeling at 123 for nine at stumps in a dramatic power shift.
England's Batting Collapse Met With Fiery Response
Choosing to bat first on a green-tinged pitch, England's innings unravelled in just 32.5 overs. Mitchell Starc was the chief destroyer for Australia, steaming in to claim a career-best seven for 58. The tourists suffered a nightmare start to one of the most anticipated series in years, with both Zak Crawley and key batsman Joe Root dismissed for ducks. The innings concluded with a devastating collapse of five wickets for just 12 runs.
Amid the carnage, Harry Brook provided a lone hand of defiance, smashing a fearless 52 from just 61 balls. His innings, featuring five fours and a huge six, offered England's only significant resistance before he gloved a bumper from debutant Brendan Doggett.
Stokes Inspires Bowling Masterclass at 'The Furnace'
If England's batting was fragile, their bowling response was nothing short of ferocious. At a ground nicknamed 'the Furnace', the tourists turned up the heat, with captain Ben Stokes producing a magical spell of five for 23.
The assault began immediately, with Jofra Archer flattening Australian debutant Jake Weatherald with his second ball, trapping him lbw. Archer and Brydon Carse claimed two wickets apiece, putting the hosts under immense pressure. The experienced Australian batting line-up of Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith endured a torrid time, with the ball repeatedly whistling past the outside edge.
Smith was struck multiple times on the arm and finger, while Labuschagne was dismissed in unfortunate fashion, cannoning a delivery from Archer into his own stumps via his elbow. Stokes, holding himself back until the 28th over, then ran through the middle and lower order, claiming the scalps of Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, and Scott Boland.
The day's action, played out in front of almost 52,000 fans including a vocal 10,000-strong travelling support, sets up a tantalising second day with England firmly in the ascendency after a truly remarkable start to the series.
