Ashes 1st Test, AUS vs ENG Highlights: Ben Stokes' 5-wicket-haul brings Australia down to their knees on 19-wicket day

Ashes 1st Test Highlights: Follow Australia vs England 1st Test Highlights

Australia vs England Highlights, Ashes 1st Test AUS vs ENG: Ben Stokes took a five-wicket haul in only six overs, bringing Australia down to 123/9 in 39 overs at Stumps on Day 1 of the first Ashes Test, in Perth on Friday. In response to England's first innings total of 172, Australia had a shaky start, losing openers Jake Weatherald (0) and Marnus Labuschagne (9) early. Meanwhile, Steve Smith registered 17 off 49 balls, losing his wicket to Brydon Carse. Carse also removed Usman Khawaja for two off six balls. Stokes arrival saw the tide shift to England's favour totally, as he removed Travis Head (21), Cameron Green (24), Alex Carey (26), Mitchell Starc (12) and Scott Boland (0).

Earlier, Mitchell Starc ripped through England’s batting, exposing the Bazball blueprint with a sensational seven-wicket haul as the visitors were bundled out for 172. Starc’s fiery opening spell put Australia firmly on top as England limped to lunch at 105/4 in the first session. Cameron Green deepened England’s troubles by dismissing Ollie Pope, tightening Australia’s hold after Mitchell Starc had already ripped through the top order. Starc delivered a fiery burst, claiming three early wickets — including Joe Root for a duck — to leave England in disarray. He had set the tone right from the opening over, removing Zak Crawley for a duck and putting Australia firmly in command from the start. Ben Stokes chose to bat first in Perth, signalling England’s intent despite the bounce-friendly surface, as they field an all-pace attack built to harness the pitch’s extra carry and seam movement. For the first time in many decades, England fly over to Australia with a competitive Ashes on the cards. The expectations for this round of the Ashes is through the roof: a strong, nearly revolutionary England team captained by Ben Stokes and coached by Brendon ‘Bazball’ McCullum, against an ageing Australian team on the verge of a massive transition. On the back of a famous and hotly contested series that finished 2-2 when they last met in England, Stokes’ men travel to Australia with ambitions of winning Down Under for the first time in 15 years – and only for the second time in the last 40.

Ashes 1st Test Day 1 Highlights, Australia vs England:

-Australia post 123/9 in 39 overs, trail by 49 runs

- Ben Stokes takes five-wicket haul in six overs

- Jofra Archer claimed Marnus Labuschagne’s wicket, halting Australia’s resistance as England kept up the sustained pressure.

- Jofra Archer answered Australia’s early dominance in stunning fashion, striking with just his second ball to send Jake Weatherald back for a duck.

- England 172 all out (H Brook 52, O Pope 46; M Starc 7/58) vs Australia on Day 1 in Perth.

- Mitchell Starc destroyed England with a blistering five-wicket burst as Bazball crumbles under pressure in Perth.

- Harry Brook reached half-century off 58 balls after lunch.

- England posted 105/4 (O Pope 46, H Brook 28*; Starc 3/23) at lunch against Australia in Perth.

- Mitchell Starc proved too hot for England to handle, ripping through the top order with three quick strikes, including the prized wicket of Joe Root for a duck.

- Mitchell Starc ignited the series immediately, struck in the first over to remove Zak Crawley for a duck.

- Ben Stokes opted to bat first in Perth as England rolled out an all-pace attack, backing their seamers to exploit the lively conditions.