Aus vs Eng Ashes Test 1 Day 1 : Starc and Stokes Wreak Havoc as 19 Wickets Fall on Day 1 o Ashes 2025-26
Aus vs Eng Ashes Test 1 Day 1 produced the kind of chaos and drama Test-cricket craves – 19 wickets fell, records tumbled, and both teams were left reeling. After electing to bat, England cricket team were bowled out for 172, thanks largely to Mitchell Starc’s 7-58, only for Australia cricket team to be reduced to 123 / 9 by stumps and still trail by 49 runs.
Australia vs England — 1st Ashes Test • Day 1
The Ashes 2025/26 • 21–25 November 2025
Venue: Perth Stadium, Perth
Full Day Breakdown
England’s first innings collapse
England, after winning the toss, opted to bat but were promptly undone by pace, bounce and precision. Mitchell Starc ripped through the top order and finished with 7-58, leaving England’s #Bazball ? attack floundering at 172 all out in just 32.5 overs. Harry Brook’s 52 and Jamie Smith’s 33 offered brief hope, but England never built momentum.
Australia’s stunned reply
Australia began their reply under pressure on a tricky Perth pitch and collapsed to 123 / 9 at stumps. England’s captain Ben Stokes returned with a five-wicket haul (5-23) and the pace trio of Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse capitalised to leave the hosts reeling and trailing by 49.
Pitch & conditions
The surface offered real movement off the seam early and variable bounce later, exposing frailties on both sides. A historic 19-wicket day makes clear this pitch will demand technique, patience and precision as the Test unfolds.
Have a look at the below video for the 19 wickets which fell on Day-1.
Here's every single one of the NINETEEN wickets to fall on Day 1 at Optus Stadium ... in just 71.5 overs 🤯#Ashes pic.twitter.com/d8QFJEmCxe
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) November 21, 2025
Session-wise analysis
Morning Session — Starc lights up Perth, England shell-shocked
The morning session belonged entirely to Australia, and it wasn’t even close. England walked out with the bat hoping to make a strong first statement in the Ashes, but Mitchell Starc had very different plans. Under clear Perth skies and a pitch that had a bit of bite early on, Starc ripped open the top order with raw pace and wicked movement. England went from cautious to chaotic in a matter of overs. Ben Duckett, Crawley and Root all fell before they could settle, and suddenly England were 40-for-4 wondering what hit them. Starc’s rhythm was menacing — full, fast, and constantly probing — and England simply didn’t have an answer. It set the tone for what would become one of the most dramatic opening days in modern Ashes history.
Afternoon Session — Brief resistance, but England crumble to 172
The afternoon brought a bit of calm, thanks to Harry Brook and debutant Jamie Smith. They counter-punched with intent, picking off anything loose and momentarily shifting the mood. Brook’s crisp strokeplay looked like England’s escape rope, and Smith showed good temperament for someone facing peak Australian pace for the first time. But once that partnership broke, it was all downhill again. Starc returned like a storm restarting mid-day and cleaned up the remaining batters, finishing with a jaw-dropping 7-58. England were bowled out for 172 in just 32.5 overs, a total that felt well below par. The session ended with Australia firmly in control — or so it seemed.
Evening Session — England roar back, Australia crumble to 123/9
What unfolded next stunned the crowd. England’s bowlers came out breathing fire. Ben Stokes led the charge with a fierce spell, using the short-ball plan brilliantly on a pitch that kept misbehaving. Jofra Archer backed him up with pace and carry that forced edges and mis-hits. Suddenly, it was Australia who looked rattled. From a steady platform they slid dramatically, losing wickets in clusters and failing to stitch meaningful partnerships. Stokes’ five-for (5/23) was as gritty as it was skillful — smart fields, well-directed bouncers, and relentless discipline. By stumps, Australia were 123/9, still trailing by 49 runs. The game had spun on its head. A 19-wicket day in a Test match? Only Ashes cricket could deliver that kind of chaos.
Top Performers on Day-1
Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc’s spell in the morning was pure theatre. With the new ball swinging late and the bounce unsettling the English top-order, Starc repeatedly hit that uncomfortable length that forces indecision. His 7/58 came from a mix of raw pace, clever seam positioning, and smart variation. He broke partnerships just when England were trying to settle, and his second spell ripped open the lower order in minutes. Starc’s aggression, rhythm, and accuracy were the foundation of Australia’s early dominance. Even though Australia collapsed later, Starc walked off as the standout performer — the bowler who shaped the tone of Day 1.
Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes produced one of those trademark spells that remind you why he’s the heartbeat of English cricket. When Australia seemed set to push ahead, Stokes came in with ball in hand and flipped the entire storyline of the evening session. His lengths were perfect for the Perth wicket — hard, steep, and constantly challenging the outside edge. Stokes’ 5/23 wasn’t just about numbers; it was about impact. Each wicket dented Australia’s confidence, and his energy infected the entire England unit. He bowled with leadership, clarity, and grit, dragging England back into a contest they looked destined to lose earlier in the day.
Aus vs Eng Ashes Test 1 Day 1 Highlights
What to Expect on Day-2
On Day 2, Australia must salvage their first innings and attempt to overturn the slender 49-run deficit, while England will look to press home their advantage early and expose any cracks in the hosts’ approach. With a pitch already demanding respect, the next 48 hours could tilt the series heavily one way—or unleash yet more unpredictable drama.
