Ashes 2025, 1st Test LIVE: Mitchell Starc runs riot with career-best figure, England all-out for 172 on Day 1
In the 1st Ashes Test at Perth Stadium, England faced a disappointing collapse, bowled out for 172 in just 32.5 overs. Australian pacer Mitchell Starc dominated with a stunning 7-wicket haul.
Last Updated: 12.00 PM, Nov 21, 2025
England's campaign in the 1st Ashes Test at Perth Stadium began with high stakes and intent, but ended in disappointment as the visitors were bowled out for 172 in just 32.5 overs on a lively morning pitch. Australian paceman Mitchell Starc stole the show with a magnificent seven-wicket haul, ripping through England’s batting order and putting Australia firmly in control of the opening Test of this historic series.
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England's positive intent, but faced early trouble
Winning the toss, England captain Ben Stokes boldly chose to bat first. The decision immediately came under scrutiny as the Australian bowlers found plenty of assistance on a fresh Perth pitch.
Zak Crawley’s hopes for a fast start were dashed as he fell for a six-ball duck, edging Starc to Khawaja at slip in the very first over.
Ben Duckett showed some fight with a quickfire 21 off 20 balls, finding boundaries with crisp shots off Boland and Doggett, but was trapped lbw by Starc in the seventh over.
The wickets kept tumbling, and when Joe Root was caught behind off Starc for a duck, another prized early wicket for Australia, England were reeling at 39 for 3.
Resistance by Pope and Brook
Ollie Pope, England’s vice-captain, provided welcome resistance. He constructed patient partnerships first with Duckett and then with Harry Brook, working the ball into gaps and keeping the scoreboard ticking.
Pope emerged as the backbone of England’s first session, scoring 46 from 58 balls with four boundaries. His solid technique was crucial in blunting the swinging ball, and, paired with Brook, England looked to stabilise after the horror start.
Brook, ever the counter-attacking presence, took the game back to Australia with 52 from 61 balls. He scored five boundaries and a six, handling both pace and movement impressively.
Their partnership pushed England past 90, but just as the tourists threatened to recover, Green dismissed Pope lbw with a sharp delivery and Starc returned to disrupt the lower order once more.
Middle order faltered, and Starc ran riot
England’s captain Ben Stokes was bowled by a classic Starc inswinger for just six. While Jamie Smith provided a late spark, smashing 33 off 22 balls with six boundaries, Starc snuffed out hope, removing key batters, including Smith and Wood, in quick succession.
Contributions from the lower order were brief: Atkinson (1), Carse (6), Archer (0*), and Wood (0) all fell as England slid from 160-5 to 172 all out in little more than two overs.
Starc’s final figures were sensational, 7 for 58 in 12.5 overs, his lethal combination of pace and swing proving unplayable for all but Pope and Brook. Starc claimed his 100th wicket against England and also returned with his career-best bowling figure, including his 5th Ashes five-fer.
Debutant Brendan Doggett supported well with 2 for 27, picking up the wickets of Brook and Carse. Green chipped in with 1 for 10, his ability to hit the seam and extract bounce troubling the batters.