Australia caused complete havoc in the first Test of the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 at the Optus Stadium in Perth as Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland tore apart England’s batting lineup. The biggest disappointment for England was Joe Root, whose long struggle in Australia continued with failures in both innings.
After being out for zero in the first innings, Root could score only eight runs in the second innings in Perth. Root was dismissed by Starc on both occasions. In the first innings, Starc bowled a perfect length ball onto leg stump which went straight and Root was forced to edge it to Marnus Labuschagne.
Mitchell Starc dismissed Joe Root twice and Australia got the upper hand in Perth.
In the second innings, Starc dismissed Root with a classic drag-on. The Australian fast bowler bowled a good length ball which went slightly past the England batsman. It wasn’t really in the right spot for the drive, but Root still put pressure on it by keeping his hands away from his body.
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The ball caught the inside edge and rolled back onto the stumps, leaving Root stunned as he was forced to return to the pavilion after scoring just 8 runs from 11 balls as England struggled at 76/5 in the first Ashes Test. At one time England looked stable, but everything changed in a single over.
Scott Boland came on and removed Ollie Pope (33) and Harry Brook (0), and England suddenly fell from 65/1 to 76/4 at the Optus Stadium. Earlier, England openers Jack Crawley (0) and Ben Duckett (28) also failed to make an impact against Australia.
Matthew Hayden teases Stuart Broad, Australia beats England in the first Ashes match
With England’s position looking weak, Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith handed the ball to Starc again and the move immediately worked as they lost their biggest wicket in the form of Root. The drama inside the commentary box has intensified after another flop show by the former England captain.
When Australia defeated England badly in the first match of the Ashes in Perth, the great Australian batsman Matthew Hayden took a dig at Stuart Broad during the live commentary. When Boland and Starc destroyed the English batting lineup, Hayden made fun of Broad for watching it all from the commentary box.
Matthew Hayden reveals how quickly the game had changed and how Australia regained control with fierce, accurate fast bowling in the first Test against England.
Also read: Mitchell Starc demolishes Joe Root, Ben Stokes in both innings of Ashes opener, achieves 10-for in Perth
Matthew Hayden’s on-air taunt at Stuart Broad goes viral
Matthew Hayden said in the commentary box, “Stuart Broad, stay in the commentary box. You are taking a lot of wickets. 5 for 76, can you believe it? Australia, I told you they were going nowhere. This is something that is tough. It is nails. It is right now, and it is happening in front of you.”
Broad, sitting in the commentary box, looked completely surprised. The former England fast bowler was left completely speechless and held his head in his hands as he was clearly amazed at how quickly the tempo had changed at the Optus Stadium.
Stuart Broad and Matthew Hayden are getting along brilliantly #ash https://t.co/QyAAUQxrW8 pic.twitter.com/qYYr2iMNey
– 7cricket (@7cricket) 22 November 2025
Notably, England were all out for just 164 runs in their second innings, as Australia now need just 205 runs to win the first Test and take a 1-0 lead in the Ashes 2025-26 series.
