The greatest Ashes Day 1 in history? And why England's second innings in the first Test against Australia could shape the series

It was a long wait, but 19 wickets on a breathless first day of the 2025/26 Ashes was some recompense. We digest what the action in Perth told us, notably how Mitchell Starc's display underlined the importance of England winning the first Test. Watch and stream Day 2 of the first Ashes Test live on TNT Sports and discovery+ from 02:00 UK time on Saturday morning.

Second innings could shape series

England's method of winning their last Ashes down under in 2010/11 was underpinned by the ability to bat once and bat big, with mammoth scores of 517-1, 620-5d, 513 and 644, leaving Australia simply unable to get the momentum that they needed in that series.

But Test cricket has changed and so too has the Ashes.

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The last series between the two sides in 2023 saw just two scores of over 400 across 10 innings, and this time out the signs are there that the speed of batting will again be the theme, rather than big scores.

England careered along at 5.23 runs per over in their first dig, the third-fastest run rate in Ashes history when a team has been bowled out.

And with Australia stumbling to 123-9 at the close, it meant that 19 wickets had fallen on the first day of an Ashes series, the most ever in the history of this great rivalry.

Whilst there are many contenders, it had many asking if this was the greatest first day in Ashes history, especially because of the momentum-swinging, but also balanced nature of the contest.

It also showed how key the second innings is to each side's chances in the first Test.

With such low scores in the first innings on a spicy surface, one big knock or partnership could prove absolutely vital in swinging the pendulum one way or another.

And with history not favourable to the side that goes behind in an Ashes series, both teams will be fully aware of the overall significance of Days 2 and 3 - if it even gets that far.

Stokes shows his full self

The preamble to this Ashes tour might have centred around - yes, that word - 'Bazball', but after a wild Day 1 in Perth, have we had it wrong all along?

With England skipper Stokes bringing his best to the biggest of stages once again, is this team really playing 'Benball'?

Stokes' team are carved in his image, going full gas together at their opponents, and Friday showed that when his leadership is not enough - rotating his bowlers expertly to reduce Australia to 31-4 - his own prowess shines through, bringing himself onto bowl and breaking up a threatening partnership between Travis Head and Cameron Green that looked like it might take the game away from England in the late afternoon sun.

Not content with taking that scalp, Stokes landed a further four to rip through Australia's tail and grab his five-for, leaving the hosts 49 runs adrift with just one wicket remaining.

All of that was delivered in just six overs of bowling, which showed - once again - Stokes' ability to not only turn games to his will in short periods, but also England's ability to progress a Test match at once unthinkable speeds.

England's chances in this Ashes - by the judge of many pundits and fans - were said to hinge on Stokes being fit and firing - and on the evidence of Day 1, there are very positive signs.

Who needs the Fab Four?

Mitchell Starc has been shorn of his customary bowling companions in Perth, with skipper Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood both missing due to injury.

And with Nathan Lyon only bowling two wicketless overs, the 'Fab Four' became the 'Wonderful One' as Starc took the responsibility on his shoulders to single-handedly ransack England's batting lineup.

Watch: All ten England wickets as Starc runs through tourists in Perth

Video credit: TNT Sports

A stunning 7-58 was the return for Starc in what represented his best-ever figures in Tests in his 101st game in the format, as he also brought up his 100th Ashes wicket.

And by bowling talisman Stokes, it was also the tenth time he has dismissed the England skipper, and a remarkable fifth time bowled, per ESPNcricinfo.

In his TNT Sports column prior to the series, Alastair Cook said England - because of the injuries to Cummins and Hazlewood - had to "strike now" by taking the first Test, and the chance of that illustrious pair returning to accompany Starc in the Brisbane day-night second Test shows how emerging from Perth victorious takes on even greater importance to the tourists' series chances.

Highlights: England roar back on extraordinary Day 1 of Ashes

Video credit: TNT Sports

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