England captain Ben Stokes has tightened the noose on the Australian batting line-up as he dismissed 5 batsmen in his 6 over bowling spell. The England captain not only broke the partnership but also demolished the entire Australian batting order.
The latest edition of the Ashes began with the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The Australian team bowled first and bowled out the opposition for just 172 runs, with Mitchell Starc single-handedly taking 7 wickets in the innings.
This marked Mitchell Starc’s career-best bowling performance in the longest format of the game, while he also became Australia’s third-highest wicket-taker during the previous series against the West Indies. He now has 735 wickets in 296* matches.
Ben Stokes comes into the attack to break the partnership between Travis Head and Cameron Green
England fast bowlers Joffra Archer and Brydon Carse produced remarkable performances with the new ball while the Australian top order collapsed. Even Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson were very accurate with their spells, although they could not get any success.
Like Harry Brook and Jamie Smith for England, Travis Head and Cameron Green began to stabilize the Australian innings after the fall of early wickets. There was a partnership of 45 runs between the two batsmen for the 5th wicket.
Then the English captain joined himself in the attack. Stokes not only delivered success in his very first over, but he also proved to be England’s most attractive bowler.
Stokes has become the first English captain in 43 years to take 5 wickets in the Ashes.
After the poor dismissal of Travis Head, Stokes once again gave a shock by taking the wicket of Cameron Green in his second over. He trapped the batsman by bowling the ball outside the off stump. Pitching it outside the off-stump line, he left the field open to tempt the batsman to play the cover drive.
Green threw the ball back to the wicketkeeper; Since then he did not look back. Mitchell Starc was the third batsman to be dismissed as the batsman attempted to take on Ben Stokes.
Alex Carey was also caught in a similar plan when he directed the bouncer towards the third man fielder. Scott Boland was out in the same over when Ben Stokes completed his 5 wickets.
Ben Stokes took five wickets!
what a wonderful first day #ash it was. pic.twitter.com/0SOcPi5jE2
– cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) 21 November 2025
The England captain has become the first English captain in 43 years to take five wickets in an Ashes series. Stokes ended the first day with figures of 5/23 from his 6 overs.
Ben Stokes took 5
He has become the first England captain in 43 years to take a five-wicket haul in an Ashes Test.
Australia (121 for 9), trail by 51 runs. #ash #AUSvsENG
First Test, Day 1 LIVE: https://t.co/rRBsEkrZVt
– India Today Sports (@ITGDsports) 21 November 2025
19 wickets on the first day 2025-26 create a new record in this century
Australia is facing its rival England and the record is certain to be broken. Once again a record was broken, as both Australia and England contributed 19 wickets in the two innings of the game. This is the first time in the history of the Ashes in more than a century.
England were all out for 172, and then the Australians also lost 9 batsmen in the innings as they trailed by 49 runs at the end of the first day. Of course, this match is not going beyond 3 days of play.
Also read: Pat Cummins announces return date during Ashes opener in Perth
