Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has ripped through England’s top order in a phenomenal opening spell on day one of the Ashes opener at Perth Stadium.
With wounded quicks Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood out of action, the left-armed speedster stepped up in their absence, snaring 3-17 in a stunning six-over burst with the new Kookaburra, his best opening spell in an Ashes contest.
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England is 4-105 at lunch, with Harry Brook (28*) and Ben Stokes (4*) unbeaten in the middle. The visitors ticked along at 4.56 runs per over during the morning session in typical Bazball fashion.
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After England captain Stokes won the toss and chose to bat, despite the team’s recent success when chasing, Starc removed opener Zak Crawley in the first over of the series for a sixth-ball duck, with Usman Khawaja holding onto a juggling chance at first slip. Soon after, fellow opener Ben Duckett was trapped on the pads by a full delivery that evaded his inside edge, wasting a review before trudging off for a 20-ball 21.
Superstar Joe Root, renowned for his poor Test record on Australian soil, was squared up by Starc for a seventh-ball duck, with the outside edge sailing towards Marnus Labuschagne in the slips cordon.
Root DUCK! Starc’s 100th Ashes wicket | 00:58
With the tourists in early trouble at 3-39, Harry Brook launched into a trademark counterpunch by repeatedly charging at Australia’s quicks, at one point slapping Starc through the covers for an audacious boundary. The Bazball-inspired ploy worked, however, with stand-in captain Steve Smith spreading the field in response.
Brook and Ollie Pope revived the innings with a 55-run partnership for the fourth wicket before all-rounder Cameron Green struck moments before the lunch break, with a yorker hitting Pope on the foot plumb LBW for a composed 46.
Green sends frustrated Pope packing! | 01:27
Seamer Scott Boland, opening the bowling in the absence of Cummins and Hazlewood, struggled to hit his lengths on Friday morning, often producing half-volleys and spraying down the leg side.
Earlier, Doggett and opener Jake Weatherald were presented their baggy greens, becoming Australia’s 472ns and 473rd men’s Test cricketers respectively. Elsewhere, England picked an all-pace attack for the Ashes opener, with spinner Shoaib Bashir carrying drinks in the West Australian capital.