Mitchell Starc registers massive record during 1st Ashes 2025/26 Test in Perth

The left-arm pacer of the Australia side, Mitchell Starc, had some responsibility to grab during the opening Test of Ashes 2025/26 at the Optus Stadium in Perth in the absence of their two injured premier pacers- Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. Starc was in hot form with his enormous pace and accuracy, as none of the visiting batters had the chance to tackle the left-arm pacer.

Starc opened his account with the wicket of Zak Crawley as the right-handed batter went for a booming drive and ended up getting an outside edge into the hands of the first slip, Usman Khawaja, who juggled the delivery in his hands before keeping it in. Crawley was really tentative against the new ball.

Starc trapped the other opening batter, Ben Duckett, as the left-handed batter was trapped before the stumps, having been pinned on the crease. He was stuck on the crease against the moving delivery while Joe Root, due to the flashing drive, got an outside edge into the hands of the slip fielder.

Mitchell Starc completes 100 wickets in Ashes history during 2025/26 Test in Perth

After the break, Starc bowled a beautiful delivery to Ben Stokes as the England captain was down on his knees and had a puzzling look at the bowler. The left-arm pacer of the Three Lions completed his 100 wickets in the Ashes rivalry as he became the first left-arm pacer to complete the milestone, with Mitchell Johnson being the second highest wicket-taker in the list with 52 wickets.

Starc also sent back Gus Atkinson, who got an outside edge into the hands of the slip fielder, while Mark Wood and Jofra Archer were bounced out with the short balls. The Sydney-born ended up with figures of 7/58 in 12.5 overs at an economy rate of 4.50.

England, having been bundled out for 172 runs in the first innings due to the 52 runs from Harry Brook and 46 from Ollie Pope, drew the first blood with the wicket of Jake Weatherald as Archer came streaming in with pace.