Mitchell Starc lit up the opening session of the Ashes with a devastating new-ball spell that not only earned him a historic milestone but also removed the biggest name in England’s batting line-up. The left-arm quick became the 21st bowler — and the first left-arm seamer — to claim 100 wickets in Ashes Tests, striking at a remarkable 44.8, the best among all members of the 100-wicket club. But the moment that sent a jolt through the Perth Stadium crowd was the wicket of Joe Root for a duck. All eyes had been on Root heading into this Test. England’s premier batter has been in outstanding form over the past year, yet one glaring void continues to hang over his glittering career — he has never scored a Test century in Australia. His overall record in the country remains underwhelming compared to his global standards, and this series was billed as his chance to correct that narrative. Instead, Root’s first outing lasted just a few deliveries. Starc, known for his booming inswingers, surprised him with a ball that shaped away late. Root pushed tentatively, the edge carried, and suddenly England’s most reliable batter was walking off without troubling the scorers. It was the early blow England feared the most. The day had begun with optimism for Ben Stokes, who chose to bat first after winning the toss on a dry Perth surface where teams batting first have won all five previous Tests. Determined to break a 14-year drought in Australia, England went in with an all-pace attack of Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and company, leaving out spinner Shoaib Bashir. But Starc’s opening burst shredded those plans. Crawley fell to another away-seamer, Duckett was beaten by the inward angle, and England’s Bazball approach suddenly looked shaky against the intensity and pace on offer.Australia XI: Jake Weatherald, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (captain), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland.England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood.
