Mitchell Starc struck on the last ball of the first over to remove Zak Crawley in the first Test between Australia and England at the Perth Stadium and get the Ashes underway in style. It was the seventh time that Starc got a wicket in the first over of a Test match in his career.
Mitchell Starc bowled it on a hard length and in the channel outside off, angling away. The ball was not really meant to be driven, but Zak Crawley, without any footwork, attempted to drive it on the up. With some extra bounce, and the ball nipping away slightly, it was enough to catch the outside edge and fly to first slip, where Usman Khawaja fumbled but managed to hold on.
WATCH:
Mitchell Starc does it Again.😭🔥
Full first over by starc Ball-by-ball
#AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/FgZr2QlHLP
— U’ (@toxifyy18) November 21, 2025
Ashes: Australia Vs England, 1st Test Day 1 – Live Score
Earlier, England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bat against Australia in the first Ashes Test on Friday.
The visitors opted for an all-out pace attack on what is expected to be a fast and bouncy wicket as they begin their quest to win a series in Australia for the first time in 15 years.
Mark Wood was deemed fit and will spearhead the speed assault alongside Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, and Stokes, with spinner Shoaib Bashir left out.
All five previous Tests at the venue have been won by the side batting first.
“We will try and get some runs on the board and see where we go from there,” said Stokes.
“It’s a lot of hard work, determination, we have got a clear plan of what we want to do in Australia.”
Australia named their team on Thursday with Jake Weatherald making his debut as Usman Khawaja’s sixth opening partner since David Warner retired last year.
That allowed Marnus Labuschagne to return at his preferred number three, followed by Steve Smith, Travis Head, and Cameron Green.
With Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood injured, Brendan Doggett earns his first cap in an attack led by Scott Boland, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon.
“I would have had a bat as well,” said Smith, who added: “I think the cracks are going to open up as the match progresses.”
(With inputs from Agencies)
