Mitchell Starc was the standout performer on Day 1 of the first Ashes Test between Australia and England at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The left-arm pacer showcased his class by picking up his 17th five-wicket haul, finishing with impressive figures of 7/58. Starc’s brilliance with the ball played a crucial role in restricting England to a paltry total of 172 in their first innings.
The experienced campaigner made an immediate impact by dismissing the English openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett early on. He then claimed the key wicket of England captain Joe Root to put the visitors on the back foot. Starc continued his fine form in the second session, removing Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith before wrapping up the tail. In the process, he also reached the milestone of 100 Ashes wickets, solidifying his status as a true match-winner for Australia.
Fans and experts alike were quick to shower praise on Starc for his exceptional performance. One fan on X described him as “aging like fine wine,” while another lauded him for being on a “different level” compared to his teammates. Social media was abuzz with reactions, with many hailing Starc as a “legend of the game” and a “destroyer” of opposition batting line-ups.
Despite Starc’s heroics, England did have some bright spots in their innings. Harry Brook top-scored with a brisk half-century, while Ollie Pope and Jamie Smith also made valuable contributions with the bat. However, the failure of key batsmen like Root and Stokes to make an impact proved costly for the visitors.
In response, England got off to a positive start with Jofra Archer dismissing debutant Jake Weatherald for a duck. At the time of writing, Australia were 0/1 in their first innings, with Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne at the crease. The stage is set for an intriguing battle as the Ashes series kicks off in style.
As the action unfolds, fans can stay updated with live scores and updates from the 2025-26 Ashes Test. With plenty of excitement and drama expected in the coming days, cricket enthusiasts are in for a thrilling ride as the fierce rivalry between Australia and England takes center stage.
In conclusion, Mitchell Starc’s stellar performance on Day 1 set the tone for Australia’s dominance in the first Ashes Test. With his ability to swing the ball at pace and pick up crucial wickets, Starc proved once again why he is considered one of the best in the business. As the series progresses, all eyes will be on Starc to deliver more match-winning performances and help Australia reclaim the urn from their arch-rivals.
