Starc Creates History in Perth Ashes Opener
Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc scripted cricket history on Friday morning, achieving a remarkable Ashes century by claiming his 100th wicket in the historic rivalry. The left-arm quick reached this elite milestone in dramatic fashion by dismissing England's star batsman Joe Root for a duck during the first Test at Perth's Optus Stadium.
Devastating Morning Spell Rattles England
The day began ominously for England as Starc produced a fiery opening spell that left the visitors reeling. Zak Crawley became Starc's first victim of the day, falling on just the sixth ball of the match. The Australian paceman continued his rampage by trapping Ben Duckett leg before wicket for 21 runs, setting the stage for the historic moment.
With all eyes on former England captain Joe Root, Starc delivered a masterclass in left-arm bowling. The delivery pitched on leg-stump and swung away sharply, forcing Root to open his stance. The English batsman attempted to jab at the ball with a closed bat face, but only managed to get a thick edge that flew to third slip where Marnus Labuschagne took a spectacular low catch to complete the dismissal.
Record-Breaking Achievement and Dominance Over Root
This dismissal marked the ninth time Starc has claimed Root's wicket in Test cricket, highlighting his dominance over one of England's premier batsmen. Remarkably, this was Root's fourth duck against the Australian speedster in the longest format of the game. The English batsman's search for an Ashes century in Australia continues, having scored both of his Ashes hundreds on home soil.
Starc's achievement places him among cricket's elite, becoming the 21st bowler in history to reach 100 Ashes wickets. More significantly, he created history by becoming the first left-arm seamer ever to accomplish this feat. His strike rate of 44.8 stands as the best among all 21 bowlers who have reached this milestone, underscoring his effectiveness and threat throughout the Ashes contests.
The Optus Stadium in Perth witnessed this historic moment on November 21, 2025, as Australia gained early advantage in the first Test of the 2025-26 Ashes series. Starc's devastating spell has set the tone for what promises to be another thrilling chapter in cricket's greatest rivalry.
