Australia vs England 1st Ashes Test: There was a spell for the ages at the Optus Stadium on Friday as Australia’s left-arm pace talisman Mitchell Starc became the first left-arm fast bowler to claim 100 wickets in Ashes Tests. Starc’s searing burst dismantled England’s top order in the opening session of the first Ashes Test and set the tone for a fiery start to the 2025–26 series.
That milestone arrived when Starc removed Joe Root for a seven-ball duck. His signature outswinger had the England No. 4 edging to Marnus Labuschagne. It was Starc at his vintage best: fast, full, and unrelenting under Perth’s glowing sky.
Australia vs England 1st Ashes Test: Starc Sets the Tone for Australia
Starc didn’t wait long to make some Ashes drama – in fact, he needed just one delivery. His first ball of the series angled across Zak Crawley, feathering it through to a diving Usman Khawaja at first slip. The crowd at Optus Stadium went absolutely bonkers – an Ashes series had got under way in quintessential Starc fashion.
Bro hyped Zak Crawley like he was about to rewrite Bazball…
Starc rewrote the script by making him dance and exit the stage in the very first over 😂🔥
pic.twitter.com/iOjPGpBxtd https://t.co/WSHEbYr7Qn
— Honey (@stevensmithclub) November 21, 2025
Starc struck again in the seventh over, trapping Ben Duckett lbw for a brisk 21. Duckett, a poster figure of Bazball aggression, was undone by Starc’s sharp movement into the stumps.
Then, history arrived. A delivery of perfect shape kissed Joe Root’s edge and flew to Labuschagne. Root gone. Starc’s 100th Ashes wicket sealed. England’s top order crushed.
Mitchell Starc has claimed his 100th wicket against England! #MilestoneMoment | #Ashes | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/vItwfdCK3X
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 21, 2025
What made Starc’s ‘Unique Century’ So special?
Starc’s wicket made him the 21st bowler to take 100 Ashes wickets but none have done it at his strike rate. His 44.8 balls-per-wicket is the best of all bowlers to reach the milestone. He now has 24 wickets in the first over of Test innings, 15 since 201 more than any modern bowler.
All this came while leading the attack without Pat Cummins or Josh Hazlewood, who were both unavailable for the opener. Starc, who had earlier voiced his displeasure about Perth replacing the traditional Gabba opener, let his bowling do the talking.
Australia vs England 1st Ashes Test: England’s Collapse Before Tea Break
England, having won the toss, opted to bat on a fresh Perth pitch. The decision spectacularly backfired.
Despite the fighting 52 from Harry Brook and a calm 46 from Ollie Pope, England were bundled out for 172 in just 32.5 overs.
Starc finished with incredible figures of 7/58, his name once again echoing across Ashes history. Brendan Doggett grabbed 2 wickets, while Cameron Green chipped in with one.
Australia vs England 1st Ashes Test: Australia Loose Jake Weatherald Early
Jofra Archer struck early, trapping Jake Weatherald lbw for 0, leaving Australia at 0/1. But the experienced pair of Marnus Labuschagne (6) and Steven Smith (7) dug in, navigating a testing spell from England’s quicks. At Tea, Australia was 15/1 in 10 overs, which was a slow but sure start to their first innings, still 157 runs behind.
