Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc produced one of the most devastating bowling performances in Ashes history, single-handedly dismantling England's batting lineup with a career-best 8-wicket haul in the first Test at Perth's iconic WACA ground. The left-arm quick's fiery spell propelled Australia to a comprehensive victory, giving the hosts a crucial 1-0 lead in the highly anticipated 2025 Ashes series.
Starc's Bowling Masterclass Dominates Day Four
The match reached its dramatic conclusion on the fourth day when Starc, displaying relentless pace and precision, ran through the English batting order. His final figures of 8 for 56 represent the best bowling performance by an Australian in Ashes cricket since 2013, placing him among the elite company of Ashes greats. The veteran pacer exploited the Perth conditions perfectly, generating significant bounce and movement that proved too much for the English batsmen to handle.
England, chasing a daunting target of 359 runs, began the day with hopes of mounting a serious challenge. However, Starc had other plans, striking early and often to break the backbone of England's resistance. His ability to swing the ball at high velocity and hit consistent lines outside off-stump created continuous problems for the visitors throughout their innings.
Ben Stokes' Valiant Century Goes in Vain
Amid the carnage created by Starc's bowling onslaught, England captain Ben Stokes played one of his trademark fighting innings, scoring a brilliant century that temporarily gave the visitors hope. Stokes reached his 12th Test hundred with characteristic aggression and determination, counter-attacking the Australian bowlers with powerful strokes around the ground.
The English skipper's innings included 15 boundaries and 3 massive sixes, as he tried to single-handedly keep his team in the contest. However, the lack of substantial support from other batsmen meant that Stokes' heroic effort ultimately proved insufficient against Australia's bowling firepower. When Starc finally dismissed Stokes for 118, the match effectively reached its conclusion.
Historic Achievement and Series Implications
Starc's remarkable performance has immediately shifted the momentum in Australia's favor as the series moves forward. This victory marks Australia's seventh consecutive Test win at the WACA ground against England, maintaining their formidable home record at this venue. The comprehensive nature of the win sends a strong message to the English camp about the challenges they face in Australian conditions.
The match also highlighted the significant contribution of other Australian players, with valuable runs from the top order setting up the platform for Starc's bowling heroics. The Australian team management will be particularly pleased with how their pace attack functioned as a unit, with Starc leading from the front in spectacular fashion.
For England, the defeat raises several concerns about their batting lineup's ability to handle quality pace bowling in Australian conditions. While Stokes' century provides a positive takeaway, the team will need to regroup quickly before the second Test, addressing technical deficiencies that Starc so ruthlessly exposed.
The cricketing world now eagerly anticipates how England will respond to this setback, and whether Starc can maintain this extraordinary form throughout the remainder of what promises to be a thrilling Ashes contest.
