Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc etched his name into Ashes folklore on Friday, becoming the 21st bowler — and the first left-arm pacer — to take 100 or more wickets in the storied history of the Ashes. The landmark moment arrived at the Optus Stadium during the opening Test of the 2025–26 Ashes series, when Starc dismissed England’s premier batter Joe Root for a duck.
Root, who has long struggled to counter Starc’s late swing, lasted just a few deliveries before the Australian struck again. Starc angled one in from around the wicket on leg stump, the ball shaping away just enough to force Root into an uncertain prod. The thick edge flew low towards third slip, where Marnus Labuschagne completed a sharp catch. It marked the ninth time Starc has removed Root in Test cricket and the Englishman’s fourth duck against the left-arm quick.
Starc, who began the morning in blistering rhythm, had already rocked England’s top order. Zak Crawley lasted just six balls before becoming his first scalp of the day, while Ben Duckett (21) was trapped plumb in front shortly after. England captain Ben Stokes had earlier won the toss and opted to bat first on a bright Perth morning — a decision that quickly appeared to favour Australia as Starc tore through the visitors’ top order.
In reaching his Ashes century, Starc joined an elite list led by legends Shane Warne (195), Glenn McGrath (157) and Stuart Broad (153). Impressively, his strike rate of 44.8 is the best among all 21 bowlers to have crossed the 100-wicket mark in the Ashes, underlining his status as one of the most destructive bowlers in the modern era.
Australia also handed debuts to opener Jake Weatherald, who partners Usman Khawaja for the first time, adding another layer of intrigue to the series opener.
With Starc breathing fire on the opening morning and making Ashes history in the process, the first Test has begun with the intensity and drama that define cricket’s oldest rivalry.
Currently, England are 138 for five, having lost big wickets in quick succession — Joe Root, and captain Ben Stokes — as Australia tighten their grip on the opening Test.
Please follow and like us:
Discussion about this post