Ashes 2025-26: Australia vs England Highlights & Review – 1st Test, Day 1

How did Day 1 of the 1st Ashes Test go between Australia vs England? — Review, Turning Points & more

England would be the more chirpy camp at the end of Day 1 of the first Ashes Test against Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Friday, November 21.

After winning the toss and opting to bat first on what looked like a spicy track. Mitchell Starc, who was leading the bowling attack for Australia in the absence of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, dismissed Zak Crawley in the first over. Ben Duckett hit a flurry of boundaries before being dismissed by Starc. The left-arm seamer also sent Joe Root packing for a duck.

Harry Brook scored a fluent half-century, playing counter-attacking cricket. Jamie Smith also played a brisk 33-run knock. Most of the English batters struggled to cope with the pace and bounce on the track, and Starc made the most of the conditions. He eventually finished with his first seven-for in what has been an illustrious career. The Three Lions were rolled over for 172 in just 32.5 overs.

With their backs against the wall, England needed wickets upfront and Jofra Archer gave them the start they would have hoped for, dismissing debutant Jake Weatherald with the second ball of the innings. The right-arm seamer also got the better of Marnus Labuschagne, who looked completely out of sorts.

Brydon Carse, who came in as the second-change bowler, dismissed Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja in consecutive overs. From 31/4, Cameron Green and Travis Head joined forces to forge a steady partnership.

England captain Ben Stokes introduced himself into the attack in the 28th over. He needed just seven balls to strike, dismissing Head to end a 45-run partnership. Green, who was the other set batter, was dismissed by Stokes in his following over, and the hosts were staring down the barrel.

Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, and Scott Boland also became victims of Stokes during the fag end of the day. The talismanic all-rounder bagged a five-for in just six overs as Australia finished on 123/9, still 49 runs adrift of England's first-innings total.

Top batting performances of the match — Harry Brook

Brook didn't get perturbed by the pace and bounce on the track as he played some audacious strokes to thwart Starc and Co. He smashed five fours and one six during his 52-run knock off 61 balls. The right-handed batter continued his purple patch in the red-ball format and this half-century could be hailed as one of his most significant innings if England go on to win this Test.

Best bowling spells — Ben Stokes

While Starc bowled brilliantly during the first innings, the honours for the best bowling spell on Day 1 have to go to Stokes. The 34-year-old turned the game on its head with his six-over burst towards the back-end of the day. He finished with figures of 5/23 in six overs and will be looking to bag a six-for on Saturday.

Ashes 2025-26: Why didn't Khawaja open for AUS in Perth?

Also Read

Ashes 2025-26: Why didn't Khawaja open for AUS in Perth?

Records Broken and Major Milestones Achieved

• Mitchell Starc bagged his 100th wicket in Ashes Tests, becoming the 21st bowler overall and the first left-arm seamer to get to the milestone. His strike rate of 44.8 is the best among these 21 bowlers.
• Starc has the most wickets (24) in the first over of an innings since his debut in 201.
• Starc's 7/58 is not just his best figures in Tests but also the best individual figures at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
• England's innings lasted only 197 balls. This is the third-shortest first innings of an Ashes Test on Australian soil by balls.
• Jake Weatherald became the fifth batter for Australia to be dismissed for a duck on debut Test innings while opening.
• 19 wickets fell on the opening day of an Ashes Test for the first time in the last 100 years.