
The opening day of the Ashes delivered a level of chaos few could have anticipated. Perth Stadium’s surface—hard, lively and punishing—produced 19Wickets in a Day, leaving both England and Australia fighting through rapid collapses and intense spells of fast bowling.
England’s 172 came and went quickly. Australia’s reply of 123/9 fared no better under the evening lights. Throughout the day, the crowd witnessed a blend of unpredictability and raw speed that turned every over into a potential turning point.
This was not careful, measured cricket. It was survival.
Starc’s Early Onslaught Triggers the First Half of 19Wickets in a Day
Mitchell Starc delivered one of the defining spells of his Ashes career, claiming 7/58 in a performance built on sharp lift and late swing. With Australia missing frontline quicks Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Starc stepped into the lead role and imposed immediate pressure on England’s lineup.
Day 1 Bowling Summary
| Bowler | Team | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Starc | Australia | 16.5 | 3 | 58 | 7 | 3.44 |
| Xavier Doggett | Australia | 8 | 0 | 32 | 1 | 4.00 |
| Scott Boland | Australia | 8 | 0 | 62 | 0 | 7.75 |
| Jofra Archer | England | 8 | 1 | 24 | 2 | 3.00 |
| Brydon Carse | England | 7 | 0 | 22 | 3 | 3.14 |
| Mark Wood | England | 7 | 0 | 29 | 2 | 4.14 |
| Gus Atkinson | England | 7 | 0 | 26 | 2 | 3.71 |
Starc’s impact became clear through the variety of dismissals:
- Zak Crawley gloving a climbing delivery
- Joe Root beaten by sharp late swing
- Harry Brook pressured despite counterpunching with inside-out shots
England’s 172 felt both quick and fragile, built on brief intent but overshadowed by constant threats from the bowler’s end.
Australia’s Reply Mirrors England’s Struggles as the Lights Take Over

Under the lights, Australia’s top order faced an even harsher examination. The ball moved unpredictably, the bounce became sharper, and England’s fast bowlers sensed opportunity.
Jake Weatherald’s debut lasted only two balls before Archer trapped him LBW with a rapid inswinging delivery. Marnus Labuschagne battled discomfort from a blow to the elbow, then lost his wicket via a ricochet after leaving the ball entirely—an example of how tricky judgment became.
Steve Smith absorbed several awkward short balls before edging Brydon Carse on 17, while Usman Khawaja’s brief innings ended through a gloved lifter that emphasised the pitch’s uneven bounce.
England’s Seam Quartet and Stokes’ Tactical Overdrive Take Control

England’s attack thrived in conditions that rewarded persistence and pace. Archer, Wood, Atkinson and Carse each delivered short spells that kept pressure high and scoring low.
Inside these spells:
- Archer’s 150 km/h bursts targeted the midsection
- Wood generated biting bounce from a deceptive length
- Atkinson hit the seam repeatedly, creating lateral movement
- Carse stayed disciplined around off stump, forcing edges
Then Ben Stokes produced the decisive spell of the day—5 wickets in 6 overs—a burst that dismantled Australia’s middle order.
Travis Head’s attempted pull, Cameron Green’s wide slash, Alex Carey’s aerial uppercut and Scott Boland’s indecision all fell into patterns created by the mounting pressure. Australia slid from 5/76 to 9/123, mirroring England’s earlier stumbles.
A Day of Extreme Momentum Swings and the Weight of 19Wickets in a Day

The historical scale was unmistakable—this was the most Day 1 wickets in an Ashes Test since 1909. Perth’s surface once again lived up to its growing reputation as one of the toughest batting environments in world cricket.
Key takeaways included:
- Starc’s milestone of 100 Ashes wickets
- England’s Bazball scoring rate colliding with genuine fast-bowling threat
- Australia’s vulnerability under lights, especially against hard lengths
- A selection spotlight on Boland and debutant Weatherald
- England’s all-seam gamble paying off immediately
Fans and analysts described the match as “chaos delivered in chapters,” with momentum swinging violently throughout the day.
Conclusion: A Ferocious Start Defined by 19Wickets in a Day and Unfinished Battles Ahead
The Ashes opener erupted with intensity, unpredictability and raw pace. With 19Wickets in a Day, the match flipped repeatedly, leaving England with a 49-run advantage and Australia searching for answers ahead of Day 2.
If this opening is any indication, the 2025–26 Ashes could become a series shaped by fast bowling, pressure moments and the constant threat of collapse.



