Mitchell Starc Dominates as England’s Batting Crumbles on Ashes Opening Day
In a stunning display at the opening of the Ashes series, Mitchell Starc showcased his skill by taking seven wickets, leading to a disastrous performance from England’s batting lineup. The match, held in Perth, saw England choose to bat first on a pitch favorable to pace bowlers, ultimately collapsing for just 172 runs in under 33 overs.
Mitchell Starc’s Dominance
Australia’s bowlers, particularly Starc, dominated proceedings from the start. England’s innings began poorly, with Zak Crawley dismissed for a duck on the sixth ball of the day. Starc’s exceptional bowling not only secured him seven wickets for 58 runs—his best performance in Ashes history—but also marked his 100th wicket in the series.
Key Moments in England’s Innings
- Early Dismissals: Joe Root, seeking his first century in Australia, fell for a seven-ball duck.
- Middle Order Resistance: Ollie Pope managed 46 runs while Harry Brook delivered a more aggressive 52.
- Collapse: After reaching 160 runs, England lost five wickets for just 12 runs.
Australia’s Response
In response, Australia ended the day at 15 runs for one wicket. Jofra Archer managed to dismiss debutant Jake Weatherald without scoring, but the Australian side steadily avoided further losses as they aimed to build on England’s dismal first innings.
This opening day was touted as a critical test for England under the ‘Bazball’ philosophy, and the results have raised questions about their approach against Australia’s formidable bowling attack. As the series progresses, England will need to regroup quickly to avoid further setbacks.
