The Ashes always brings a different kind of energy. The first test of the 2025-26 series at Perth Stadium proved that from the very first session. England, led by Ben Stokes, won the toss and decided to bat in the hope of making early use of the fresh surface. But Perth is never an easy place to bat on Day 1, and it didn’t take long for the fireworks to begin.
One of the biggest moments of the day came from Mitchell Starc, who reminded everyone why he loves bowling in Perth. The left-arm pacer steamed in, hit the perfect length, and delivered a ball that will be replayed for years. It angled in, straightened off the seam, and crashed into the top of the off stump before Ben Stokes could bring his bat down.
Mitchell Starc dismisses Ben Stokes with an absolute Jaffa on Day 1 of Perth Test
Stokes stood frozen for a split second, trying to understand what just happened. Starc ran past him in celebration, fists pumping, as the crowd exploded in delight. It was the kind of delivery that makes fast bowling look like an art.
That dismissal shifted the mood immediately. England had looked comfortable for a short time, but losing their captain to such a stunning delivery put them on the defensive. The Australian players gathered around Starc, patting him on the back, while England’s dressing room suddenly looked tense. Everyone knew that the Perth pitch rewards bowlers who stay disciplined, and Starc had shown exactly how dangerous it could be.
But England were not going to let Australia dominate the day. Brydon Carse, who has been growing in confidence over the last couple of years, produced a spell that matched the intensity of Starc’s effort. His moment came when he bowled a brutal bouncer to Usman Khawaja. The ball wobbled slightly in the air, thumped into the deck, and climbed past chest height almost instantly. Khawaja tried to get out of the way, but the bounce surprised him, and the ball brushed his bat on its way to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.
Khawaja walked back for just 2 runs, shaking his head, knowing he had no real chance against that one. Carse’s celebration was raw and emotional, and England’s fielders swarmed around him.
ALSO WATCH: Harbhajan Singh’s handshake with a Pakistani cricketer in Abu Dhabi T10 league spreads like wildfire
At that point, Australia were already under pressure. Their innings lacked rhythm, and Carse’s strike pushed them into deeper trouble. It felt like the pitch had woken up and had decided to help every bowler willing to bend their back.
Earlier, England had been bowled out for 172 in 32.5 overs, a quick innings, but still enough to create pressure on Australia. The visitors played attacking cricket but kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Still, 172 felt competitive on a pitch that was getting livelier by the hour.
Australia’s chase began in the worst possible way. Jake Weatherald fell for a duck, and the tension around the ground grew. Marnus Labuschagne, who usually brings calmness, also departed early after a sharp delivery from Jofra Archer. That set the tone for the innings. Steven Smith tried to build something, but even he couldn’t resist Carse’s accuracy and movement. Khawaja followed him soon after, leaving Australia at a worrying 49 for 4.
Travis Head and Cameron Green tried their best to steady the innings. They played cautiously, left the ball well, and focused on survival more than scoring. They finished the day unbeaten, but the scoreboard told a clear story—Australia trailed England by 123 runs and still had a long way to go.
Day 1 belonged to the fast bowlers. Every wicket felt earned, every spell had heat in it, and the atmosphere was tense from start to finish.
