Browsing: Starc

Mitchell Starc (AP Photo) Mitchell Starc has officially stepped past a living legend. The Australian speedster is now the most successful left-arm fast bowler in Test history, surpassing Pakistan icon Wasim Akram’s tally of 414 wickets during a sensational spell on day one of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Starc produced a fiery 6/71 against England, the performance that elevated him to 418 Test wickets, pushing him to the top of the all-time list for left-arm pacers — and triggering an emotional tribute from the man he overtook.Within minutes of the milestone, Akram took to social media and posted a heartfelt salute to Starc, calling him a worthy successor to the throne he has held for decades. His message read like a coronation.“Super Starc! Proud of you, mate,†Akram wrote on X. “Your incredible hard work sets you apart, and it was only a matter of time before you crossed my tally of wickets . I am pleased to give this to you! Go well, and keep soaring to new heights in your stellar career.â€Akram’s words are more than praise. They symbolise a baton being passed between two generations defined by reverse swing, toe-crushing yorkers and unrelenting aggression.Yet, in a moment of humility that stunned reporters, Starc insisted Akram remains untouchable.“Wasim’s still a far better bowler than I am,†Starc said. “He’s the pinnacle of left-armers… I’ll just try and keep churning a few out.â€While he plays down the achievement, Starc now sits alongside cricket’s immortals. Among Australian wicket-takers, only Shane Warne (708), Glenn McGrath (563) and Nathan Lyon (562) stand ahead of him. At 35, with form sizzling and the Ashes still unfolding, his chase isn’t over.

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Ashes 2025-26:- England batted first after Ben Stokes won the toss in the second Ashes Australia vs England Test. Joe Root scored his first Test century in Australia, reaching 135. He and Jofra Archer added fast runs for the last wicket, taking England past 300. Their stand reached 50 runs in just 29 balls. Archer made 32.

Mitchell Starc was the best bowler for Australia. He took 6 wickets and kept England under pressure. Michael Neser took one wicket.

England ended Day 1 at 325/9.

Australia used an all-pace attack in this pink-ball Test. The ball moved more under the lights and gave their bowlers help. Scott Boland bowled tight spells. Australia missed Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood again. Root batted calmly through tough periods and then attacked later. His century ended his long wait for a hundred in Australia.

Ashes 2025-26: Joe Root Hits His First Test Hundred on Australian Soil in the Second Ashes Australia vs England Test

Root finally scored his first Test century in Australia during the second Australia vs England Ashes Test in Brisbane. He reached the landmark in his 30th innings in the country. England were 5 for 2 when he came in, and he survived an early drop on two. He kept England steady as wickets kept falling at the other end. He reached his hundred with a flick to fine leg and achieved his 40th Test century.

Root had made nine fifties and 900 runs in Australia before this but had never reached three figures. His average in Australia was 33.33, his lowest in any country where he had batted more than twice. This century puts him one behind Ricky Pontingâ€s tally of 41 Test hundreds.

Former captain Alastair Cook called it a brilliant and pressure-heavy innings. Commentator Jonathan Agnew said the knock silenced Rootâ€s critics, including those who questioned if he could be considered an all-time great without a century in Australia.

Root survived lbw reviews on 62 and 73, and a catch that Steve Smith dropped when Root was on two. He adjusted his scoring areas early by avoiding shots behind the point, which usually troubles him in Australia, and focused on playing straight. As the ball softened later, he returned to his usual strokes.

Mitchell Starc Takes Sixth Pink-Ball Five-Wicket Haul in Ashes 2nd Australia vs England Test

Mitchell Starc took a five-wicket haul in the Ashes Australia vs England second Test, giving him a record six five-fors in day-night matches. No other bowler has more than two, showing how dominant he is with the pink ball.

He completed the milestone by dismissing Gus Atkinson. Atkinson tried to flick the ball, top-edged it, and it flew behind the keeper. Alex Carey and Marnus Labuschagne both chased it, dove together, and Carey caught it just above the ground. The catch was seen as one of the best of the year.

Starc also became the left-arm fast bowler with the most Test wickets, going past Wasim Akramâ€s record. He reached the milestone during Day 1 of the second Ashes Test when he dismissed Harry Brook. Starc achieved this in 102 Tests. He started the Ashes series strongly, taking seven wickets in the first innings and three in the second during the Perth Test.

Q. Where is the second Ashes Test in 2025?

A. The second Ashes Test is being played in Brisbane.

Q. Is the second Ashes Test a day-night match?

A.Yes, the second Ashes Test is a day-night match.

Q. Is the second Ashes Test a pink-ball match?

A. Yes, the second Ashes Test is a pink-ball match.

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Different day, different Test, different city and different ground. Same chaotic Ashes cricket.

After England were beaten by Australia inside two days in Perth, the second Test began with four overs of pandemonium in Brisbane.

The drama of the day-nighter began at the toss when Australia confirmed the omission of spinner Nathan Lyon – but that was nothing compared to an opening 20 minutes that included two England ducks, a dropped catch and a possible wicket that wasn’t.

Australia’s Mitchell Starc once again wreaked havoc by removing Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope, Joe Root was dropped off the same bowler and Zak Crawley may have edged behind off Michael Neser, yet the hosts failed to appeal.

Here’s how it all unfolded:

• 0.4 overs – Eng 4-0 – Crawley was twice out for a duck to Starc in the first Test but finally got off the mark for the series with a crunching cover drive off the same bowler – shades of the England opener hitting Pat Cummins for four from the first ball of the 2023 Ashes at Edgasbton.

• 0.6 overs – Eng 5-1 – Just as in Perth, Starc strikes in the first over of England’s innings, only this time his victim is Duckett. Facing his first ball, Duckett is drawn into a poke at a full, swinging delivery, resulting in an edge to first slip. The left-hander’s duck means this is the first time England openers have registered three ducks in the first two Tests of an Ashes series.

• 2.3 overs – Eng 5-2 – An awful shot from Pope, showing England learned little from their capitulation in Perth. Facing only his third delivery, Pope tries to cut a wide delivery from Starc and chops on to his own stumps. Even at such an early stage – only 15 deliveries into the match – there had already been evidence of steep bounce. For that reason, this was a serious error of judgement from England’s number three.

• 2.6 overs – Eng 11-2 – Almost a hammer blow for England as Root escapes with an edge through the slips off Starc. Squared up by one angled across him, Root fends towards first slip, with the ball dropping in front of fielder Marnus Labuschagne. Australia captain Steve Smith dives across Labuschagne from second slip, gets his left hand to the ball, but can’t hold on. It would have been a stunning catch. Instead it brings four for Root.

• 3.5 overs – Eng 21-2 – Would this have been given out if Australia opted for a review? Crawley played at a delivery from Michael Neser, the seamer selected as a pink-ball specialist in place of Lyon. Neser appeals, yet gets little support from his team-mates. Replays show a tiny scratch on the technology, though nothing conclusive to suggest the TV umpire would have overturned the on-field decision.

England eventually came through Starc’s five-over spell without further losses.

Before the second Test was an hour old, the left-armer already had 12 wickets in the series, echoing the performance of Mitchell Johnson, who destroyed England on their Ashes tour of 2013-14.

“Mitchell Starc is one of those bowlers that, especially when we were sharing hotels, when I’m sitting there eating my breakfast, a bit nervous, he always walked down looking so calm,” former England spinner Phil Tufnell told Test Match Special.

“That’s what makes world-class performers. You can tell who’s a world-class cricketer by how they eat breakfast. I bet he’s calm.”

Starc’s opening burst also extended some extraordinary career numbers.

The 35-year-old joined legendary Pakistan bowler Wasim Akram on 414 wickets – the most by left-arm pace bowlers in Test cricket.

This was the 26th occasion Starc has taken a wicket in the first over of an innings – three of those have come in this series.

Starc also added to his superb record with the pink ball. Before this match, he was comfortably the leading wicket-taker in day-night Tests, with this new-ball spell taking his tally to 83 wickets from 15 matches, 40 clear of fellow Australian Cummins in second place.

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There is still hope for England. After four sessions of the first Test, they were 99 runs ahead with nine second-innings wickets remaining.

The capitulation that happened from that point will leave a sour taste in everyone’s mouths, none more so than the players.

However, given the pink ball seems harder to see and the faster you bowl it, seemingly the more effective you are, it leaves England well placed to make the most of the talent at their disposal.

England’s quickest bowler, Mark Wood, played one pink-ball Test on the last Ashes tour four years ago and took nine wickets in the match, proving a menace throughout.

He isn’t available this week, but England will still have Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse – all capable of bowling over 90mph – in their XI, while captain Ben Stokes can exceed 85mph.

The eye-catching display in Australia’s first innings was the most sustained spell of ‘fast’ bowling I’ve seen from an England attack.

There were former Australia internationals remarking how impressed they were by England’s bowling, and writers sharpening their knives for an evisceration of the home team.

If the England bowlers can find the same hostility, pace and skill in Brisbane, there is no doubt they can cause Australia big problems.

Can England go toe-to-toe with Starc? If he recaptures the rhythm and confidence he showed in Perth, he could be Australia’s match-winner once again.

He must go to bed dreaming of bowling with a pink ball.

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Mitchell Starc took a 10-wicket haul in the first Ashes Australia vs England Test. He took seven wickets in Englandâ€s first innings when they were dismissed for 172 in 32.5 overs, giving him the best figures of his career and the best first-innings figures by an Australian in an Ashes opener.

His spell was fast and accurate, removing Crawley, Duckett, Pope, Root, Jamie Smith, Atkinson, and Wood. He passed 100 Ashes wickets during this spell, becoming the first left-arm fast bowler to reach that mark. England collapsed from 160 for six to 172 all out, losing their last four wickets for 12 runs. Harry Brook was the only batter who resisted, with 52 runs.

Starc added three more wickets in the second innings. He dismissed Joe Root with a ball that was left outside off stump, described as “DRAGGED ON!â€, after Root got an inside edge trying to drive. He completed his ten-wicket haul when he got Ben Stokes with a length ball that moved away.

The moment was called “GONE! A 10-wicket haul for Mitchell Starc in this first Ashes Test.†Stokes edged to Steve Smith at slip, marking the 11th time Starc had dismissed him in Tests. England slipped to 88 for six at that point, with the lead at 128.

Australia vs England 1st Test: All the Records Shattered in Perth so far

The opening day of the Ashes Australia vs England Test was chaotic, with nineteen wickets falling, the most on an Ashes opening day since 1909. Starcâ€s seven wickets were matched by Ben Stokes†spell of five for 23, making it the first time since 2005 that both teams had a bowler taking a five-wicket haul on the first day of an Ashes Test.

England were bowled out for 172, and Starc crossed 100 Ashes wickets, becoming the first left-arm fast bowler in history to reach that mark. His spell removed Crawley, Duckett, Pope, Root, Stokes, Atkinson, and Wood. Harry Brook scored 52, but the rest of England fell apart, losing their last four wickets for 12 runs.

The match changed again when England bowled. Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson opened with extreme pace, and Australia collapsed under pressure. Stokes delivered a burst of 5 for 23, breaking the innings open and reducing Australia to 123 for 9 by stumps on Day 1.

Perth Stadium had never seen such a day. In 2024 the ground saw 17 wickets on Day 1, but 2025 went past that with 19. Across Ashes history, this was the biggest Day-1 collapse in a century, beating Trent Bridge 2001 and Lordâ€s 2005, where 17 wickets fell.

Brydon Carse summed it up best when he said, “Everyone who came today certainly got their moneyâ€s worth – 19 wickets.â€

On Day 2, Mitchell Starc finished the first Ashes Test with 10 wickets, and the final part of his haul came when he removed Joe Root and Ben Stokes again in Englandâ€s second innings. His 10 wickets came across both innings, built on one of the most dominant Ashes spells seen in years.

FAQs

Q. Who has taken the most wickets in the Ashes?

A. Mitchell Starc has reached 100 Ashes wickets, achieving the milestone in 23 Tests.

Q. How many wickets has Mitchell Starc taken in his first over?

A. Mitchell Starc has taken 24 wickets in the first over of an innings.

Q. Has England ever won a Test series in Australia?

A. Yes. England has won the Ashes in Australia 14 times, most recently in the 2010–11 series.

Q. Why is the 2005 Ashes so famous?

A. The 2005 Ashes is remembered for its dramatic, close contests, England ending an 18-year Ashes drought, and being the last Ashes aired on free-to-air TV.

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For the second time in two days, Mitchell Starc dismissed England opener Zak Crawley for a duck in the Ashes 2025-26 1st Test in Perth.

While in the first innings Crawley played a poor shot, driving on the up to a back-of-length delivery outside the off-stump; in the second innings, the England openerâ€s eyes popped as Starc stretched every sinew of his body to take an unbelievable catch.

Australia added nine more runs to their overnight total of 123/9 in 6.2 overs and were bowled out for 132, finishing their first innings 40 runs behind Englandâ€s first innings total.

Australia needed a good start, and their spearhead pacer stepped up once again for his side as he got rid of the right-handed English opener for a duck in the first over of the innings.

Crawley became the fourth England opener to bag a pair in the Ashes, following on from Trevor Bailey (Melbourne, 1959), Dennis Amiss (Adelaide, 1975), and Michael Atherton (Melbourne, 1998).

AUS vs ENG: [Video] Mitchell Starc Takes Unbelievable One-Hand Return Catch Of Zak Crawley

On the fifth ball of the first over of Englandâ€s second innings, Starc attacked Crawleyâ€s pad with an inswinging delivery pitching on length. The batsman looked to drive it down the ground but mistimed his shot, leading to a chipped shot to the left of Starc.

Displaying his athleticism, Starc stretched out his left hand and managed to grab the ball. Even as he went down on the ground, Starc made sure to have his fingers underneath the ball and not lose the grip of the ball as he hit the ground. The third umpire had multiple looks at the video footage of the catch before deeming it a legal catch.

What makes this one-handed catch even more remarkable is that Starc was indeed moving in the opposite direction to the ball in his follow-through.

Starcâ€s fitness is often praised, as he rarely misses Test matches and major ICC events due to injuries. This superb catch was further testament to his elite fitness.

Watch the video here:

Meanwhile, after Crawleyâ€s early dismissal, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope have added a mini-partnership of 27 runs off 36 balls as Englandâ€s lead swells past 60 runs.

Ashes 2025-26 1st Test Playing XIs:

Australia: Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Jake Weatherald, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitchell Starc, Alex Carey (wk), Brendan Doggett, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

England: Ben Duckett, Ben Stokes (c), Zak Crawley, Joe Root, Ollie Pope, Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Harry Brook, Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood

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Australia vs England delivered a fast and chaotic first day in the Ashes Test at Perth. 19 wickets fell, the most on an Ashes opening day since 1909. The pitch was quick but fair, and both teams struggled with the pace.

England batted first and were bowled out for 172 in 32.5 overs. Mitchell Starc was the main reason. He took 7-58, the best figures of his career and the best first-innings figures for an Australian in an Ashes opener. He removed Crawley, Duckett, Root, and Stokes with high pace and movement. Harry Brook scored 52, the top score of the day, but the rest of the lineup collapsed. The last five wickets fell for 12 runs.

Englandâ€s innings started with trouble immediately after winning the toss. Mitchell Starc struck with the sixth ball of the match to remove Zak Crawley. Ben Duckett was lbw for 21, Joe Root edged a 142.8 km/h delivery for Starcâ€s 100th Ashes wicket, and Stokes was bowled through the gates as Starc kept hitting perfect lengths. England were 39 for three when Harry Brook arrived, and he counterattacked with a fast fifty. They collapsed from 160 for six, losing their last four wickets in 17 balls.

Australia then struggled even more. Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson opened with extreme speed, and it took Australia 28 balls to score their first run. Archer trapped debutant Jake Weatherald lbw for a two-ball duck, and Englandâ€s average speed across the first 10 overs was 89.5 mph, their fastest Test attack since the ball-tracking began.

England used an all-pace attack with Archer, Wood, Carse, Atkinson, and Stokes. It became Englandâ€s fastest bowling lineup on record. Archer dismissed debutant Jake Weatherald for a duck. Carse removed Labuschagne and Smith. Stokes came late and caused major damage, taking 5-23. Green and Head tried to rebuild with a 45-run stand, but both fell to Stokes.

Australia ended the day on 123 for 9, trailing by 49 runs. Alex Carey was the only batter to reach the mid-20s. Brookâ€s aggressive batting and Englandâ€s extreme pace attack helped them fight back after Starcâ€s big spell. Both teams showed weak batting and strong fast bowling, hinting that this could be a low-scoring series.

Starc and Stokes Deliver Twin Five-Wicket Hauls, Creating a Rare Day-1 Ashes Record

Mitchell Starc and Ben Stokes created a rare Test record on Day 1 of the Australia vs England Ashes Test in Perth. They became the first pair of bowlers since Steve Harmison and Glenn McGrath in the 2005 Ashes at Lordâ€s to take five-wicket hauls on the opening day of a Test match.

Starc produced a career-best spell of 7/58, his 17th Test five-wicket haul. He crossed 100 Ashes wickets (now 104) and took his 5th five-for against England, helping Australia bowl England out for 172.

Stokes answered with a strong spell of 5/23 from just six overs, including one maiden. This was his 6th Test five-wicket haul, taking him to 235 Test wickets at 31.06. His spell reduced Australia to 123/9 by stumps.

The last time both teams had a bowler taking a five-for on Day 1 of a Test was in 2005, when Harmison took 5/43 and McGrath took 5/53 in the first Ashes Test at Lordâ€s.

FAQs.

Q. Where can fans in India watch the 2025 Ashes?

A. The 2025 Ashes will be shown live on the Star Sports Network.

Q. Who has won more Ashes series?

A. Australia has won more, with 34 series wins compared to Englandâ€s 32. Seven series ended in draws.

Q. Are the Ashes held every 2 years?

A. Yes. The Ashes is played every two years between England and Australia, with each country hosting alternately.

Q. Who is the greatest Ashes player of all time?

A. Don Bradman is considered the greatest, with 5,028 runs in Ashes matches.

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Ben Stokes records a famous five-wicket haul on the opening day of the first Test in Perth as England edge Australia on one of the most incredible days in Ashes history.

Ben Stokes records a final-session five-wicket haul as England end the opening day of the first Ashes Test against Australia holding a 49-run advantage.

In one of the craziest days of Ashes cricket, 19 wickets fell in 71.5 overs as England were initially bowled out for 172 in just 32.5 overs after winning the toss in Perth.

However, after Mitchell Starc had been the difference maker with 7-58, Stokes produced one of the best stints of his Test career, posting an incredible 5-23 off just six overs as he tore through the Australia middle and lower order before the home side ended on 123-9 at stumps.

Although England lost Zak Crawley for a duck in the opening over of the series, there were initially few signs of what was to come as Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope steadied the ship.

Duckett (21) and Joe Root, for a seven-ball duck, fell to Starc, but Pope (46) and Harry Brook (52) produced knocks that suggested that it was possible to score runs on a lively pitch.

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CarseâŒ

Smith âŒ

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Four wickets fall in three overs and England are all out for 172.

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Nevertheless, 160-5 off 29.4 overs became 172 all out just 18 balls later. Jamie Smith added 33 off 22, but Starc – who posted career-best Test figures – and debutant Brendan Doggett (2-27) seemingly put Australia in full control.

Archer, Carse, Stokes lead England Ashes fightback

That was until Jofra Archer dismissed Australia opener Jake Weatherald – another debutant – with the second ball of the reply, and England reduced their hosts to 31-4 with Brydon Carse getting the prized wicket of Steve Smith for 17.

A THIRD WICKET FOR ENGLAND ?

Steve Smith is OUT and Australia are wobbling! âŒ

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While 45 and 35-run partnerships helped Australia tick over, their middle-order of Travis Head (21), Cameron Green (24) and Alex Carey (26) all got starts before succumbing to the ferocity of Stokes who was threatening with the majority of his deliveries.

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Australia would have held the advantage at the close had they continued to progress from 118-6 late in the day, but the brilliance of the England skipper had reduced them to 121-9 just two overs later.

BEN STOKES HAS HIS FIVE-FER! ?ï¸

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Once one of Nathan Lyon or Doggett depart, presumably during the early stages of day two, England will look to post a target for Australia to chase in what may prove to be one of the shortest Ashes Test matches in history.

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Mitchell Starc made history in the 2025–26 Ashes Australia Vs England by taking his 100th Ashes wicket and a five-wicket haul. He became the first left-arm fast bowler to reach this mark in Ashes history. He dismissed Joe Root for a duck, which gave Australia a strong start in the opening session. Root was under pressure because he had never scored a Test century in Australia, and his poor record there continued.

Starc took three quick wickets in the first 10 overs. His spell started with Zak Crawley, whom he dismissed in the very first over. The ball moved across the opener, and Crawley edged it to Usman Khawaja at slip. His strike rate in Ashes Tests is 44.8, the best among all bowlers who have taken 100 Ashes wickets.

Starc struck again in the 7th over. Ben Duckett had scored 21 runs from 20 balls, but Starc trapped him LBW. Duckettâ€s aggressive batting could not survive Starcâ€s accuracy. His biggest wicket came soon after. Joe Root faced only seven balls before edging Starc to Marnus Labuschagne at third slip. Root walked back for a duck. The crowd reacted with surprise, and Australian fans celebrated loudly.

Starc got his 4th wicket by bowling Ben Stokes. Stokes was beaten by a ball that cut back in and went through the gap between bat and pad. Mitchell Starc then got Gus Atkinson out on 30.1 overs. Atkinson edged the ball, and the catch was taken. It was Starcâ€s fifth wicket, and England was 161/7.

Starc has also built a record of taking wickets early in innings. He has taken 24 wickets in the first over of a Test innings, with most of them coming after 2015.

Ashes 2025-26 AUS vs ENG 1st Test: Playing XIs

The Ashes 2025–26, Australia Vs England, began in Perth on November 21. The first Test started at 7:50 AM IST at Perth Stadium. Australia are strong at home and have not lost any of their last six Test series there. They have also won 14 of the last 18 Ashes matches since the 2023 series.

Australia played without Pat Cummins, who has a back injury, and Josh Hazlewood, who has a hamstring injury. Steve Smith captained the team. Australia handed Test debuts to Jake Weatherald, who opened with Usman Khawaja, and Brendan Doggett, who became the first Australian fast-bowling debutant in four years. Doggett also became the third Indigenous Australian man to play Test cricket.

England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bat first. England picked an all-pace attack and left out spinner Shoaib Bashir. Jofra Archer returned to Ashes cricket after a long break. He bowled in the same Test XI as Mark Wood for only the second time.

Australia: Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland

England: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood

Ashes 2025-26 AUS vs ENG 1st Test: Weather and Pitch Report

The first Aus Vs Eng Ashes Test of 2025 is being played at Optus Stadium in Perth. The weather forecast shows only a small chance of rain. The maximum temperature is expected to be 27°C, and the minimum is 13°C.

The pitch at Optus Stadium is known to be good for batting during the first two days. From the third day, the cracks on the surface can start helping fast bowlers, which is a common feature in Perth. The pitch for this Test is expected to have more grass than last yearâ€s match between India and Australia. However, cracks may not open much, as seen in that previous game, where the pitch actually improved for batting later.

This match is the first time Australia and England have met at the new Optus Stadium. Australia has played five Tests here and has lost only once. England have lost the first Test of their last three tours in Australia.

Batting first after winning the toss is expected to be the best choice. Teams usually try to score at least 350–360 in the first innings to stay ahead. The average first-innings score at this ground is 308.

Both teams are aiming to start the five-match series with a win and take a 1-0 lead.

FAQs

Q. Where will the 2025 Ashes be played?

A.The 2025 Ashes series will begin in Perth.

Q. Where can fans in India watch the 2025 Ashes?

A.The 2025 Ashes will be shown live on the Star Sports Network.

Q. Is the next Ashes only 4 Tests?

A.No. The 2025–26 Ashes is a five-match Test series.

Q. Who has won more Ashes series?

A. Australia has won more, with 34 series wins compared to Englandâ€s 32. Seven series ended in draws.

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Joe Root entered the Ashes 2025-26 on the back of major talks of the opportunity to notch up his first Test century in Australia. But his series commenced in disastrous fashion as he was dismissed for a seven-ball duck by Mitchell Starc, who was on a rampage in the first hour in Perth.

The highly anticipated Ashes 2025-26 began on Friday in Perth after England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bat first on a pitch on which his opposite number, Steve Smith, the stand-in Aussie skipper, also wanted to bat in the first innings, citing that the pitch will break down as the game moves forward.

Englandâ€s Bazballers threatened to come unstuck early in the morning when the visitors were rocked to 39/3 inside nine overs, with all three wickets going to Starcâ€s account, who now has 100 Ashes Test wickets.

The hosts†bowling attack is far from their preferred first-choice cartel, as both Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are missing the Perth Test due to injuries. Cummins is all but certain to play in the second Test in Brisbane.

Video: Mitchell Starc dismisses Joe Root for a duck in 1st Test

In the absence of two of the big three fast bowlers, the third one was on the money from the onset. Starc had delivered a memorable first ball of the Ashes 2021/22 when he knocked over Rory Burns. Four years later, he got rid of Zak Crawley for a duck, caught by Usman Khawaja at first slip, on the last ball of the first over of the series.

He then had Ben Duckett LBW, who was threatening to cut loose, for 21 off 20 balls. The left-arm speedster continued to steam in and damaged England significantly when he had Joe Root nicking to Marnus Labuschagne at third slip.

Starcâ€s back of a length pitched on leg stump and sharply moved away from the right-handed Root, who defended with a closed bat, leading to a thick outside edge that flew to third slip, where Labuschagne took an easy catch down on his chest.

Starc was absolutely pumped up as Root began his walk back to the dressing room without a score to his name. The 9000 England fans in the stands were stunned and silenced, while the Aussie supporters roared.

Watch the dismissal here:

Meanwhile, this was Mitchell Starcâ€s 100th wicket in the Ashes, making him the 21st player to achieve this.

Ashes 2025-26 AUS vs ENG 1st Test Playing XIs:

Australia: Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Starc, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith(c), Cameron Green, Brendan Doggett, Alex Carey(w), Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

England: Joe Root, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Stokes(c), Gus Atkinson, Jamie Smith(w), Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood

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