For the first time in a generation, England finally have the pace bowling to truly worry Australia down under, writes Stephan Shemilt.

Technically, they have been all in since the start of the 2024 summer, when Rob Key - and we're paraphrasing here - said relying on traditional English seamers was hot trash in overseas conditions, and change needed to come quick. That change was forcing James Anderson into retirement. But even the axing of a great only confirmed the concept.

The England captain delivered a sensational display with the ball to ignite hopes of a famous Ashes victory in the first Test in Perth, but his strategy helped the tourists seize the moment on day one

Veteran quick Mitchell Starc was in devastating form, taking a career-best 7-58. But by the close, Ben Stokes was bouncing through Australian batters — and then the celebrations of his England team-mates — to bag 5-23 himself to ensure the visitors sleep well ahead of tomorrow’s second day, when Australia will resume on 123 for nine.

Australia collapsed to 123-9 on day one of the first Ashes Test in Perth after England posted 172, with Ben Stokes taking five wickets as the Australian media slammed the hosts' batting performance

PERTH, Australia (AP) — In a chaotic opening day of the Ashes, Ben Stokes won the toss and watched his team skittled for 172 before taking a five-wicket haul to give England a first-innings advantage Friday in the first cricket test.

England endured an ugly start to the most hotly-anticipated Ashes series in years as they lost four early wickets – including their greatest run scorer Joe Root for a duck – with a fired-up Mitchell Starc claiming the first three in front of a packed-out Perth Stadium.