Mitchell Starc's Dominant Seven-Wicket Performance Against England

In a thrilling opening day of the Ashes Test, Mitchell Starc delivered a stellar performance, claiming seven wickets and helping Australia dismiss England for 172 runs. Despite the absence of key players, Starc remained confident in his team's bowling attack. England's response kept the match competitive, with Ben Stokes leading their bowling efforts. Starc's aggressive approach and focus on taking wickets were evident as he praised both teams' performances. This match sets the stage for an exciting series ahead.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 22, 2025, 00:13 IST

Starc's Seven-Wicket Haul Rocks England

Mitchell Starc expressed his intent to bowl aggressively after achieving a remarkable seven-wicket haul on the first day of the inaugural Ashes Test between Australia and England. The 35-year-old showcased his skills at Perth Stadium, dismantling the English batting lineup with impressive figures of 7-58, which led to the dismissal of Ben Stokes' team for just 172 runs.

England's Response with Pace Attack

In response, England's pace bowlers struck back, leaving Australia in a precarious position at 123-9 by the end of Day 1, maintaining a competitive edge in the match. Ben Stokes recorded the best bowling figures for England on that day, taking five wickets for only 23 runs.

'My Role is to be Aggressive'

Starc made an immediate impact by dismissing England's opener Zak Crawley in the very first over. Notably, he has now taken more wickets in the first over of an innings than any other bowler, totaling 24 since his debut. Starc mentioned that while aiming for a wicket in the first over is always a goal, it doesn't always materialize. He feels fortunate to have achieved it multiple times and emphasized his aggressive approach to hunting for wickets.

"It's always the plan, but it doesn't always happen that way. I've been lucky to do it a few times. My role is to be aggressive and look for wickets," Starc stated during a press conference after the day's play.

"I don't focus on economy rates. My job is to seek wickets, especially with the new ball, and to penetrate the opposition's batting order," he added.

Confidence Despite Key Absences

Starc conveyed his calm demeanor despite the absence of injured fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. He highlighted the experience still present in the bowling lineup, mentioning Scott Boland's familiarity with the team and Brendan Doggett's solid domestic cricket background as he prepared for his Test debut.

"Interestingly, I've felt quite calm all week, even upon arriving at the ground. It's unfortunate that we are without Josh and Pat, but we still have considerable experience in our bowling attack. Scott has been around for a while, and although it's Brendan's first Test, he's 31 and has performed well in domestic cricket," Starc remarked.

Starc Commends Both Teams' Bowling

Starc acknowledged the strong performances from both teams' bowlers, noting that the day saw a total of 19 wickets fall.

"Both bowling attacks were impressive. Credit goes to both sides. I believe we bowled well, and they did too. It was simply one of those days where both teams were on point, resulting in 19 wickets falling. However, this is just the beginning of the series, and there is still a long way to go," Starc concluded.