Australia Vs England, 1st Ashes Test: Ben Stokes Fifer Puts ENG Ahead After Thrilling Day 1
In a whirlwind first day of the much-awaited Ashes 2025-26 series, Ben Stokes won the toss and watched his team bundled out for 172, before taking a five-wicket haul to give England a first-innings advantage on Friday (November 21, 2025) in the first Test. Day 1 lived up to the pre-series hype, with seamers exercising control on a sunny day in front of more than 51,000 spectators at Perth Stadium. Mitchell Starc claimed a career-best 7-58 as Australia skittled England out by the second session. Jofra Archer took a wicket in the first over of Australia's reply to show the five-man England pace arsenal wasn't to be outdone. The home team was 123/9 at stumps, still 49 runs behind. In terms of wickets — 19 tumbled in 72 overs — the Test is almost half over with four days remaining.
England's Ollie Pope bats during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth. | Photo: AP/Gary Day
Australia's Mitchell Starc bowls a delivery during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth | Photo: AP/Gary Day
Australia's Mitchell Starc, center, celebrates with teammates the wicket of England's Ben Duckett during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth. | Photo: AP/Gary Day
England's Joe Root reacts after losing his wicket during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth. | Photo: AP/Gary Day
England's Harry Brook bats during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth. | Photo: AP/Gary Day
Australia's Cameron Green, left, celebrates the wicket of England's Ollie Pope during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth. | Photo: AP/Gary Day
England's captain Ben Stokes plays a shot during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth | Photo: AP/Gary Day
England's captain Ben Stokes is bowled out by Australia's Mitchell Starc during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth. | Photo: AP/Gary Day
England's Jamie Smith bats during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth. | Photo: AP/Gary Day
England's Harry Brook celebrates his fifty runs during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth. | Photo: AP/Gary Day
A view of the Perth Stadium during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth. | Photo: AP/Gary Day
Australia's Mitchell Starc, left, is congratulated by teammate Travis Head as he eaves the ground after England is bowled out during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth. | Photo: AP/Gary Day
Australia's Jake Weatherald loses his balance as he gets out lbw during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth. | Photo: AP/Gary Day
England's Jofra Archer, right, celebrates with teammates the wicket of Australia's Jake Weatherald during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth. | Photo: AP/Gary Day
Australia's captain Steve Smith bats during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth. | Photo: AP/Gary Day
Australia's Marnus Labuschagne bats during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth. | Photo: AP/Gary Day
England's Jofra Archer bowls a delivery during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth. | Photo: AP/Gary Day
Australia's Travis Head bats during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth. | Photo: AP/Gary Day
England's fan cheer on their team during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth. | Photo: AP/Gary Day
England's Brydon Carse celebrates the wicket of Australia Usman Khawaja during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth. | Photo: AP/Gary Day
Australia's Cameron Green bats during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth. | Photo: AP/Gary Day
England's captain Ben Stokes bowls a delivery during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth. | Photo: AP/Gary Day
England's captain Ben Stokes, center, raises the ball after taking five wickets during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth. | Photo: AP/Gary Day
Australia's Alex Carey bats during the first Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Perth. | Photo: AP/Gary Day
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