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 closed on 123-9 in reply to England being dismissed for 172 in a dramatic start to the Ashes; Ben Stokes took a five-for to lead the tourists fightback; England have not won a Test in Austra

The Aussies have fielded two debutants in the form of opener Jake Weatherald and pacer Brendan Doggett, for what will the teams' first face-off at Perth's Optus Stadium. Follow the live score and upda

The ground is hosting its first Ashes Test but will replicate the pace and bounce that made the WACA, across the Swan River, so feared

The first day of the opening Ashes Test saw 19 wickets falling down as pacers dominated the proceedings at the Perth Stadium. Former Indian players, including Ravi Ashwin and Aakash Chopra, took a dig at the Perth curators for the outcome of the opening day.

A seven-wicket haul from Mitchell Starc followed by a five-wicket haul from Ben Stokes lit up the opening day of the 2025-26 Ashes series in Perth

Australia and England wrapped up their Ashes preparations on Thursday with the home side showing their hand with a pair of debutants while the visitors kept their final XI under wraps for the series-opening test.