Nineteen wickets fell on an opening day of carnage in the first Ashes Test on Friday, with England’s fearsome attack led by skipper Ben Stokes bowling them into a position of strength after Australia dismissed the tourists for 172.
A rampaging Mitchell Starc took 7-58 to put England on the back foot after Stokes won the toss on a fine day at a packed Perth Stadium and chose to bat.
Harry Brook (52) and Ollie Pope (46) offered the only resistance as they crumbled after lunch.
But England’s elite fast bowlers, led by an exceptional Stokes with 5-23, fought back to reduce the hosts to 123-9 at stumps, trailing by 49. Nathan Lyon was on three with Brendan Doggett yet to score. “What a day,” England bowler Brydon Carse, who took two wickets including Steve Smith, told broadcasters.
“I think everyone that’s come today has got their time’s worth — 19 wickets.
“Fantastic last session from everyone to put us in a strong position heading into tomorrow.” In a brutal introduction to Test cricket, opener Jake Weatherald went for a second-ball duck, left on the floor by a Jofra Archer bullet and given out lbw.
Marnus Labuschagne fended off 41 balls for nine before he too succumbed to the sheer speed of Archer, bowled by a fuller delivery. And when Smith fell for 17 to Carse in the next over, caught by Brook at slip, it was game on.
Usman Khawaja, who was feeling stiff so did not open, came in at four but lasted just six balls, blown away by a Carse bouncer that took a nick to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, leaving Australia reeling at 31-4.
Cameron Green (24), Travis Head (21), Alex Carey (26) and Starc (12) all got starts, but in a reflection of the depth of England’s pace stocks, Stokes removed them when he brought himself on. “He’s amazing. His character, his resilience is everything this team strives to be,” Carse said of the skipper.