England Unleash Blitzkrieg Attack in Ashes Opener, Reduce Australia to 123–9

Hosts skittled in first innings, England fight back

In a storming start to the 2025–26 Ashes Series opener at Perth Stadium, the Australian side were dealt a heavy blow as their momentum was knocked off course by a ruthless England bowling assault. Australia were tottering at 123-9 in their first innings after England had amassed 172 when batting first.

England draw first blood with the ball

Despite a modest batting return, England’s bowlers turned the tide. Veteran quick Ben Stokes took a sensational five-wicket haul in just 30 deliveries, helping to dismantle Australia’s batting lineup in the afternoon session. Meanwhile, Australia’s premier paceman Mitchell Starc led the home attack with stunning figures of 7-58, though it wasn’t quite enough to set England in a dominant position.

Key moments shift momentum

• England’s innings was anchored by half-centuries from Harry Brook (52) and Ollie Pope (46), offering the only real resistance amid Australian pressure.
• Australia’s reply collapsed early: the hosts lost their top four batters in short order, a sign of England’s superb execution on a lively Perth surface.
• The day finished with 19 total wickets falling, underlining how dramatic and tense the opening day proved to be.

England in control — but not yet comfortable

While Australia’s batting implosion has given England the upper hand, the visitors still face considerable work to convert momentum into a commanding position. The home side must rebuild and try to avoid a collapse in the remaining innings. Stokes’ mid-innings burst has given England a foothold, and if they can add useful runs and capitalise on Australia’s fragility, the series opener could swing heavily in their favour.

What happens next

Attention now turns to Australia’s second innings:

• Can the hosts muster a meaningful total and avoid conceding a large lead?
• Will England’s bowlers sustain their intensity, especially over a longer grind with the ball?
• How will both teams adapt their strategies on a wicket that continues to favour seam movement and bounce?

Final thought

In what began as a battle of attrition, England delivered precision and punch. Australia were left reeling, their batsmen unable to match the visitors’ intensity. If England can back this up in the coming sessions and days, they will be well-placed to strike early in this Ashes series.