AUS vs ENG Highlights, 1st Ashes Test Day 1: Ben Stokes takes a fifer; Australia 123/9 at stumps in reply to England's 172

AUS vs ENG Live Score, 1st Ashes Test Day 1: Mitchell Starc produced a sensational performance on day one of the first Ashes Test in Perth, claiming 7-58 to skittle England for a modest 172. On a sunny morning at a packed Perth Stadium, Ben Stokes opted to bat, but England were immediately rattled by Starc’s venomous new-ball spell. The 35-year-old struck with the fifth ball of the match, removing Zak Crawley for nought, marking the 24th time he has taken a wicket in the first over of an innings.

Ben Duckett briefly countered with a pair of elegant boundaries off Scott Boland, but Starc trapped him lbw for 21. Joe Root’s long-standing quest for a century in Australia suffered another blow when he edged a seaming delivery to Marnus Labuschagne for a duck, leaving England reeling at 33/3.

Ollie Pope (46) and Harry Brook (52) tried to steady the innings, guiding the visitors to 105/4 at lunch. But momentum shifted again after the break. Brook launched Boland for a six in the first over of the session, only for Starc to return and bowl Stokes for six. Brook completed a counterattacking half-century before debutant Brendan Doggett dismissed him with a short ball, earning his maiden Test wicket.

Starc then ran through the tail, adding to Gus Atkinson’s dismissal and sealing his 17th five-wicket haul. Doggett finished with 2-27 as Australia wrapped up the innings with ruthless efficiency.

England, who haven’t won an Ashes series in Australia for 15 years, opted for an all-pace attack, omitting spinner Shoaib Bashir — a call that now looks costly as Australia seize control of the Test.