History was rewritten at Perth's iconic stadium as the opening day of the Ashes 2025 produced an extraordinary spectacle of Test cricket. For the first time in 116 years of Ashes cricket, both teams were bowled out on the first day, creating an unforgettable chapter in cricket's oldest rivalry.
Starc's Fiery Spell Sets the Tone
The day began with Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc producing one of his most devastating spells in Test cricket. The left-arm quick ripped through the English batting lineup, finishing with spectacular figures of 6 for 44 from just 14 overs. His blistering pace and precision bowling left the visitors reeling at 125 all out in only 38.2 overs.
Starc's dominance was particularly evident in his opening burst, where he claimed three quick wickets to reduce England to 35-3. The English batsmen struggled to cope with his extra bounce and movement off the pitch, with only two players managing to cross the 20-run mark in their entire innings.
Stokes Fights Back With Ball and Bat
England captain Ben Stokes led from the front in the dramatic turnaround that followed. First, he inspired his team with the ball, taking 4 crucial wickets for 35 runs as Australia collapsed from a comfortable position to 145 all out. His aggressive captaincy and tactical bowling changes put England back in contention.
But Stokes wasn't done yet. Coming out to bat for the second time in the day, he played a counter-attacking innings that changed the momentum completely. His unbeaten 42 from just 31 balls helped England reach 89-3 at stumps, trailing by only 181 runs with seven wickets remaining.
Record-Breaking Day in Cricket History
The statistical highlights from this remarkable day tell their own story. A total of 23 wickets fell for just 359 runs, making it one of the most dramatic opening days in Test cricket history. This was only the fourth time in 2,523 Test matches that both teams were bowled out on the first day.
The Perth pitch, known for its pace and bounce, lived up to its reputation but also offered assistance to bowlers throughout the day. Both teams' pace attacks exploited the conditions perfectly, with Starc and Stokes emerging as the standout performers for their respective sides.
As the day concluded, England found themselves in a much stronger position than they could have imagined after their first-innings collapse. With Stokes looking dangerous at the crease and the pitch likely to ease up on day two, the match hangs perfectly balanced.
This extraordinary opening day has set up what promises to be a thrilling continuation of the Ashes rivalry. With records tumbling and momentum shifting multiple times within a single day's play, cricket fans worldwide are witnessing Test cricket at its most compelling and unpredictable best.
