England Bowlers Strike Back at Australia on The Ashes Opening Day in Perth
On the opening day of the Ashes series in Perth, England’s fast bowlers made a remarkable impact. Led by Captain Ben Stokes, the bowling attack dismantled Australia, leaving the hosts at 123-9 after having bowled out England for 172. This day marked an electrifying start to what is considered one of the most anticipated Ashes series in recent years.
Match Summary
England won the toss and opted to bat first, a decision that quickly backfired. The team was in trouble early, with opener Zak Crawley dismissed for a duck on the sixth ball of the innings. Mitchell Starc played a pivotal role for Australia, taking 7 wickets for 58 runs.
England’s Top Performers
- Harry Brook: 52 runs
- Ollie Pope: 46 runs
Despite solid performances by Brook and Pope, England’s lower order collapsed, losing their last five wickets for just 12 runs. The innings concluded in a mere 32.5 overs, making it the shortest first innings in an Ashes Test in Australia in 123 years.
Exceptional Bowling Display
The response from England’s pace attack was nothing short of sensational. Stokes utilized a five-man bowling lineup that delivered one of the fastest displays recorded in 18 years. Jofra Archer showed remarkable skill, although he ended with only two wickets.
Key Bowling Highlights
- Ben Stokes: 5 wickets
- Jofra Archer: Impressive bowling performance
- Brydon Carse: Dismissed Australia captain Steve Smith
Stokes, having returned from a shoulder injury, claimed his second five-wicket haul in consecutive Tests. He effectively quashed any semblance of an Australian comeback, particularly targeting the tail end of their batting order.
Conclusion
By the conclusion of the day’s play, 19 wickets had fallen, giving England a lead of 49 runs. The team’s performance provides them with an excellent opportunity to secure a 1-0 advantage in the series.
