Australia has been set an awkward 205-run target for victory in the Ashes opener after fast bowlers Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc turned the Test match on its head. England suffered a dramatic 19-ball collapse at Perth Stadium, losing 4-11, which shifted the momentum decisively in favor of the hosts.
England, who were in a comfortable position at 1-65, were bowled out for 164 in 34.4 overs. Boland, with figures of 4-33, and Starc, who took 3-55, ripped through the middle order during a frantic afternoon session. Starc’s performance was particularly notable as he secured his third ten-wicket haul in Tests.
However, Australia faces concerns over the fitness of opener Usman Khawaja and spinner Nathan Lyon, both of whom are nursing minor injuries.
England’s Early Woes
Earlier on Saturday, England’s second innings got off to a disastrous start. Starc, who claimed seven wickets in a career-best performance on day one, removed opener Zak Crawley for a fifth-ball duck. This dismissal was a stunning piece of athleticism, with Starc lunging at full stretch to his left to secure a one-handed return catch.
Crawley, who also recorded a duck on Friday, became the first England opener to bag a pair in a Test match since 1999. This early setback set the tone for England’s innings.
Middle Order Collapse
Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope attempted to stabilize the innings with a 65-run partnership for the second wicket, aided by some sloppy overthrows from the Australians. However, Boland wreaked havoc after the interval, dismissing Duckett, Pope, and the dangerous Harry Brook, each edging towards the slips cordon.
Pope and Brook were both guilty of needlessly wafting at wide deliveries with a diagonal bat, a sign of their struggle to adjust to Australia’s bouncy pitches. Starc compounded England’s woes by dismissing superstar Joe Root for just 8, silencing the Barmy Army and bringing the match back into balance.
Starc’s Continued Dominance
Later in the same over, England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith was handed a massive reprieve on 0 when Khawaja dropped a regulation chance at first slip. However, Starc soon claimed his tenth scalp of the match by removing rival skipper Ben Stokes for 2, with captain Steve Smith taking a low catch at second slip.
This marked the 11th time Starc has dismissed Stokes in Tests, a feat only surpassed by Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Smith’s innings ended controversially, given out caught behind for 15 after a lengthy review by third umpire Sharfuddoula, which prompted boos from England supporters.
Lower Order Resistance
With the tail exposed, Australia employed a bumper ploy, which backfired when Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse combined for a 50-run partnership for the eighth wicket, featuring four sixes. However, Boland and debutant Brendan Doggett (3-51) cleaned up the tail, wrapping up the innings before the tea break.
Australia’s Response and Historical Context
Earlier, England secured a 40-run first-innings lead after Australia was bowled out for 132, with paceman Carse dismissing tailender Lyon for the final wicket. However, Lyon was left nursing a sore hip after a blow to the body.
This Test match is reminiscent of past Ashes encounters where dramatic collapses have altered the course of the series. The 2005 Ashes at Edgbaston is often cited as a pivotal match where momentum swings played a crucial role.
“The Ashes is all about pressure and how teams handle it. Today’s collapse by England is a reminder of how quickly things can change in Test cricket,” said former Australian captain Ricky Ponting.
As the match progresses, Australia will be keen to capitalize on their current advantage, while England will need to regroup and focus on their bowling attack to prevent Australia from reaching the target.
The outcome of this Test could set the tone for the rest of the series, with both teams eager to assert dominance in this historic rivalry.
