The 2025-26 Ashes series ignited with a dramatic opening day at Optus Stadium on Friday, where England's Joe Root, widely regarded as one of the premier Test batters of the past half-decade, suffered a humiliating seven-ball duck against a rampant Mitchell Starc. England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bat on a pitch offering seam movement and bounce, but the decision backfired spectacularly as Starc dismantled the top order, claiming three early wickets to leave the visitors teetering at 50/3 by the 11th over. Root's dismissal, a thick outside edge off a seaming delivery from the left-arm quick that pitched on leg stump and jagged away, was pouched low at third slip by Marnus Labuschagne after a brief juggle, capping a torrid start for the 34-year-old, who has long toiled without a Test century in Australia.

Starc's haul not only silenced England's aggressive "Bazball" intent but also etched his name into Ashes lore, as the wicket marked his 100th in the historic rivalry—the milestone achieved by the 21st bowler overall and the first by a left-armer. Boasting an exceptional strike rate of 44.8, superior to any other centurion in the series, Starc had already set the tone by removing opener Zak Crawley for a golden duck in the first over, caught at slip by Usman Khawaja off a ball that reared awkwardly. Ben Duckett followed for 21, nicking behind to Alex Carey, before Root's downfall extended England's precarious position. At stumps, Ollie Pope (36*) and Harry Brook (13*) had steered the score to 78/3 after 18 overs, a recovery hinting at resilience amid the early carnage.

The Australian attack, led by stand-in captain Steve Smith in the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins and pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood, showed no signs of rust despite the disruptions. Scott Boland endured a wayward opening spell, but Starc's precision—operating at speeds exceeding 140 km/h—ensured the hosts capitalised on conditions that Smith had hoped would "seam all over the place." Debutant Brendan Doggett impressed with a maiden over, while spinner Nathan Lyon lurked as a potential game-changer on a surface expected to crack open later. Smith's pre-match comments underscored the depth in Australia's depleted lineup, praising Boland's consistency and Doggett's domestic form, while acknowledging the "big losses" but emphasising adaptability in the face of England's all-seam bowling unit featuring Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and Gus Atkinson.

Also Read: Dreams Take Flight: 14-Year-Old Vaibhav Suryavanshi to Wear India Colours in Asia Cup

This fiery opener revives England's haunted history at Perth, where they last triumphed in 1978, and amplifies the narrative around Root's Down Under drought amid a series where the tourists seek their first away win since 2010-11. As the rivalry—contested biennially since 1882—unfolds across five tests, Starc's dominance signals Australia's intent to defend the urn fiercely, even without their full arsenal. With Pope and Brook set to resume on day two, England will draw on their transformative "Bazball" ethos under Stokes to counter the hosts' momentum in a contest blending raw pace, tactical nous, and unyielding rivalry that captivates global audiences.

Also Read: Travis Head Released From T20I Squad to Play Sheffield Shield Before Ashes