Mitchell Starc stole the show in the morning session of the opening Ashes Test at Perth Stadium, running through the England top order and leaving the visitors reeling at 105 for 4 in 23 overs at lunch.
Starc struck early, dismissing Zak Crawley for a duck, followed by Ben Duckett (21) and Joe Root (0) in a devastating spell that put England on the back foot. Cameron Green added another wicket before lunch, trapping Ollie Pope (46) lbw with a full-length delivery to break a stubborn partnership.
Despite the carnage, Harry Brook showed intent, counterattacking with boundaries off Brendan Doggett and Scott Boland, and was 28 not out at the interval alongside captain Ben Stokes, who was on 4. Extras contributed six runs, including five leg byes and one no-ball.
Starc finished with 3/24 from 8 overs, while Green claimed 1/10. Boland, Doggett, and Nathan Lyon bowled economically but could not add to the wickets in a morning dominated by pace and accuracy.
England’s middle and lower order, including Jamie Smith, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, and Mark Wood, is yet to bat.
Key moments included Brook’s audacious boundary over extra cover off Starc in the final over before lunch and Pope’s elegant drives off Boland and Doggett, which ultimately could not prevent his dismissal.
Umpires Adrian Holdstock and Nitin Menon are officiating on the field, with Sharfuddoula as the third umpire and Ranjan Madugalle as referee.
Australia will aim to build on their dominance in the afternoon session, while England seeks to stabilize and rebuild after a morning of batting setbacks.
