Post by : Maya Rahman

In a stunning display, Mitchell Starc claimed 7 wickets for 58 runs on the first day of the Perth Test, putting England in a challenging position. After winning the toss, England captain Ben Stokes opted to bat under clear skies, but the team faced difficulties against the Australian pace attack.

Only Harry Brook (52) and Ollie Pope (46) managed to make significant contributions, as the rest of the batting order collapsed post-lunch. Stokes shone as a bowler too, recording remarkable figures of 5-23, and leaving Australia at 123-9 by the end of the day, trailing by 49 runs. Nathan Lyon was not out at three, while Brendan Doggett had yet to score.

Brydon Carse, who captured two vital wickets including that of Steve Smith, described the day as exceptional. “It was a fantastic session with 19 wickets falling, putting us in a strong position for tomorrow,” he noted.

England’s early batting was a harsh introduction to Test cricket. Jake Weatherald was dismissed for a second-ball duck by Jofra Archer, and Marnus Labuschagne lasted only 41 balls before scoring nine runs. Joe Root's dismissal for 17, caught by Brook at slip, added to England's woes. Usman Khawaja, batting at number four, faced just six balls, leaving Australia precariously placed at 31-4.

Starc’s early spells proved devastating. He dismissed Zak Crawley for a duck with a thick edge to slip and later trapped Ben Duckett lbw for 21, leaving England reeling at 33-2. Starc also sent Stokes packing for a mere six runs with an inswinger, eventually wrapping up the tail and earning his 17th five-wicket haul in Tests.

Cameron Green (24), Travis Head (21), and Alex Carey (26) got starts but failed to convert, as England’s fast bowlers applied relentless pressure. Starc’s pace and skill were pivotal, while Stokes' captaincy motivated his teammates.

Following the match, Starc expressed his confidence in being able to take wickets. “My role is to be aggressive and target wickets, particularly with the new ball. I've been fortunate to achieve that several times, and it's always the intent to create opportunities against the opposition,” he remarked.

Amid the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Starc maintained his composure. He acknowledged both teams' bowling prowess, remarking it was just one of those days with many wickets falling. “Both sides bowled well, and a total of 19 wickets fell in a day,” he added.

As Australia heads into Day Two, they will require Starc to uphold his stellar form against a competent English side. Despite early setbacks, Starc is unfazed and trusts his team’s experience to rebound in this ongoing Test series.

#Sports News