Australia’s veteran pacer Mitchell Starc delivered one of the defining moments of Day 1 of the opening Ashes 2025-26 Test in Perth, knocking over England captain Ben Stokes with a stunning wobble-seam delivery. The dismissal, which sent Stokes’ stumps flying through a narrow gap between bat and pad, instantly went viral and set the tone for a dominant Australian bowling performance.
Leading the attack in the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Starc wasted no time making an impact. He struck in the very first over by removing Zak Crawley for a duck and followed it up with wickets of Ben Duckett and Joe Root—finishing a fiery morning spell with figures of 3/17 in six overs. His rhythm, swing, and control made batting difficult from the outset.
After lunch, Starc returned hunting for more. England were already under pressure when Stokes walked in, and the Australian speedster tightened the noose further. Having teased him repeatedly with outswingers, Starc delivered the perfect setup ball—pitched on a length, wobble seam, straightened late, and burst through the gap to hit middle and off stump.
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Ben Stokes, dismissed for just 6, could only look back in disbelief as Australia celebrated another huge breakthrough. The wicket left England reeling at 115/5 inside 25 overs. The rivalry between Stokes and Starc added further weight to the moment. In 22 Test innings, Stokes has scored 190 runs off 304 balls against Starc at an average of 19, with the Australian removing him 10 times, making him one of Stokes’ toughest match-ups in Test cricket.
MITCH STARC SEEEEEEED! What a ball to dismiss Ben Stokes. #Ashes | #PlayoftheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/PehDst540x
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 21, 2025
Starc wasn’t done yet. He completed a brilliant five-wicket haul after dismissing Gus Atkinson with a delivery outside off that forced a loose push, brilliantly snapped up by Steve Smith at second slip. It was Starc’s fifth five-for against England and the 17th of his Test career, underlining his dominance in Ashes battles.
By the time of writing, England were in deep trouble at 167/7 after 31 overs. Debutant Brendan Doggett claimed his maiden Test wicket by removing Harry Brook, while Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse attempted to rebuild.
WATCH – Mitchell Starc Removes Joe Root For A Duck And Completes 100 Ashes Wickets
England entered this match hoping to end a long drought—they haven’t won a Test in Australia since 2011 and remain winless in 13 of their last 15 Ashes matches on Australian soil. With a pace-heavy attack and Stokes fit to bowl again, they arrived confident. But Starc’s early destruction has already swung momentum heavily Australia’s way.
Australia, meanwhile, handed out two debuts—Brendan Doggett and opener Jake Weatherald—after injuries forced Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood out of the series opener.
