162/5 to 172/10 - England’s collapse summed up the drama on Day 1 of the Ashes.
Mitchell Starc was on a different level, producing a stunning 7/58 in just 12.5 overs, including a wicket in the very first over and a dream delivery to bowl Ben Stokes. At nearly 36, Starc delivered his best ever Test figures with ease - a reminder of why he remains one of the most destructive red ball bowlers in the world.
England’s short ball issues were once again exposed, and if they don’t address it soon, the next six weeks could be extremely challenging. Joe Root, too, continues to be tested in Australia, and Sachin Tendulkar’s record still remains far out of reach until he proves himself in these conditions.
Could this be a Mitchell Johnson Type Ashes from Starc? If yes, this series is heading to an entirely different level.
There’s still a long way to go, and with Perth favouring teams that bat first in recent Tests, the rest of the match and the series remains wide open. Meanwhile, Monty Panesar is set to provide entertainment throughout the Ashes as always.
