The first Ashes Test between Australia and England at Perth’s Optus Stadium witnessed a historic moment. For the first time in the series, both teams’ opening partnerships recorded zero runs in the first innings. This unprecedented event marked a significant milestone in cricket history.
Disappointing Openings for Both Teams
England’s opening pair, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, along with Australia’s Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne, struggled immensely. The express pace bowling dominated the match from the start. After winning the toss, England opted to bat first but faced immediate challenges.
- Mitchell Starc dismissed Crawley for a duck on the last ball of his first over, caught by Usman Khawaja.
- Weatherald, making his debut, was trapped leg before wicket by Jofra Archer on just the second ball.
England’s Batting Struggles
Ben Duckett briefly showed promise with a score of 21 runs off 20 balls, including four boundaries. However, England quickly found themselves at a precarious 39 for 3. Star player Joe Root was also dismissed for a duck by Starc.
A halfcentury partnership between Ollie Pope and Harry Brook provided some stability. Pope scored 46 runs, while Brook contributed 52 runs, trying to rebuild the innings. Despite their efforts, England collapsed for just 172 runs in 32.5 overs.
Starc’s RecordBreaking Performance
Mitchell Starc’s performance was a highlight of the match. He claimed figures of 7 wickets for 58 runs, reaching a remarkable milestone. Starc became the first leftarm fast bowler to take 100 wickets in Ashes history, with a current tally of 104 wickets at an average of 26.08.
Australia’s Response
As Australia began their innings, they ended the second session at 15 for 1. Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne remained unbeaten, while Weatherald’s debut ended in disappointment with a duck.
This first Test showcased the extraordinary challenges both teams faced. The historic twin ducks and crucial wickets taken by Starc set the tone for what promises to be a riveting Ashes series.