Australia Crumbles on Day One of Ashes Test; England Dominates

Australia faced a substantial setback on March 15, 2024, during the first day of the Ashes Test at Perth Stadium, as they struggled against England’s fast bowling attack. After dismissing England for a mere 172 runs—thanks to a remarkable performance from Mitchell Starc, who took seven wickets—the Australian batting line-up faltered dramatically. By the end of the day, Australia found themselves at 123 for 9, trailing by 49 runs.

England won the toss and opted to bat, but their innings was cut short by Australia’s bowlers. Starc’s outstanding performance set the stage for what many expected would be a solid start for the home side. However, England’s Jofra Archer quickly turned the tide, dismissing both Jake Weatherald and Marcus Labuschagne. Captain Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja also fell victim to the English bowlers, with Archer and Ben Stokes leading the charge.

The Australian media expressed disappointment over the team’s performance, particularly highlighting the top-order collapse. Fox Sports noted that Weatherald was out for a duck, while Labuschagne managed only nine runs before being dismissed. Smith’s innings of 17 runs off 49 balls and Khawaja’s two runs in six balls further compounded the team’s woes. Nic Savage from Fox Sports remarked that the “top-order frailties remain a glaring concern for the Australians,” especially after England’s pace attack left them at 4 for 31 at one point.

Stokes emerged as a standout performer, concluding the day with figures of 5 for 23 from six overs. His wickets included crucial dismissals of Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, and Mitchell Starc. Starc’s frustration was palpable as he attempted to counter the pressure, but his slog for 12 runs only added to the mounting tension for Australia.

In a particularly critical moment, Carey’s dismissal was labeled “brainless” by former Australian batsman Mark Waugh. With less than ten minutes left in the day, Carey fell into a trap, guiding a short ball to the boundary rider. Waugh commented, “I can’t believe it,” highlighting the urgency of Australia’s situation.

As the day concluded, Nathan Lyon and Brendan Doggett formed a last-ditch partnership, remaining unbeaten at stumps with 3 and 0 runs, respectively. The day’s events marked a significant moment in Ashes history, recording the most wickets taken on the first day of an Ashes Test since 1909.

Off the field, Australia faced another challenge with Khawaja’s unexpected absence due to back stiffness. Cricket Australia reported that a back spasm delayed his return to the field. Starc described the situation as “unfortunate,” noting that he was unaware of Khawaja’s condition until late in the innings. The opener was ultimately deemed ineligible to bat until number four.

As Australia prepares for the next day, the pressure is on to recover from a dismal start and address the evident weaknesses in their batting line-up. With England in a commanding position, the coming days will be crucial for the home side as they seek to turn the tide in this historic series.