Nineteen wickets fell on an insane opening day of the first Ashes Test at Perth Stadium as the pacemen wreaked havoc on a bowler-friendly wicket.

Mitchell Starc has taken a career-best seven wickets for 58 runs as Australia bundled England out for 172 despite losing the toss in the Ashes cricket series opener

The England captain delivered a sensational display with the ball to ignite hopes of a famous Ashes victory in the first Test in Perth, but his strategy helped the tourists seize the moment on day one

Veteran quick Mitchell Starc was in devastating form, taking a career-best 7-58. But by the close, Ben Stokes was bouncing through Australian batters — and then the celebrations of his England team-mates — to bag 5-23 himself to ensure the visitors sleep well ahead of tomorrow’s second day, when Australia will resume on 123 for nine.

BRUISED, battered, covered in strapping and needing medical treatment, Australia’s batsmen must have felt they entered a war zone. Ben Stokes seized the most wickets as the Ashes began but it was

The Ashes, with all its tradition and glory, are a huge burden for the visiting team at the same time. The world’s cricket fans are all set to witness another thrilling battle between the Ashes holders and the challengers.

An astonishing day in Perth saw 19 wickets fall as batters crumpled in the face of breathless pace on the quickest track in world cricket

England's biggest decision surrounds the possible inclusion of Shoaib Bashir on a pitch expected to offer pace and bounce for their fast bowlers. Australia's Nathan Lyon has a formidable record at Perth Stadium, with 29 wickets at 20.86, but visiting spinners have a combined record of eight wickets at 87.50 at the venue.