Mitchell Starc strikes again in the first over, removes Zak Crawley for a duck in AUS vs ENG Ashes 2025-26 1st Test [Watch]

Australia's pace spearhead Mitchell Starc struck in the very first over of the opening Test of the Ashes 2025-26 series at the Optus Stadium in Perth, getting Zak Crawley for a duck. The left-arm speedster got the right-handed batter to nick off to the slip cordon, sparking memories of the previous Ashes series Down Under.

Crawley had gone for a full-blooded drive in the third delivery of the over itself and missed a good length ball as it went through to the keeper. Nevertheless, he didn't miss the final ball of the over as the healthy edge carried to Usman Khawaja. The Australian opener juggled the ball before holding on to the catch as the hosts wheeled away in celebration.

Watch the below video of the dismissal as Starc got his first wicket:

Starc had notably dismissed Rory Burns off the very first ball of the 2020-21 Ashes series held Down Under, setting the tone for Australia's 4-0 victory.

Steve Smith had lost the toss before Mitchell Starc's wicket in the first over

Steve Smith and Ben Stokes prior to the toss in Perth. (Image Credits: Getty)

Earlier, Australian captain Steve Smith had lost the toss as Ben Stokes opted to bat first at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The tourists had named their 12 for the playing eleven on Wednesday and finalised the decision to drop off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, thereby going for an all-out pace in the form of Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Mark Wood. With Ben Stokes now fit to bowl as well, the tourists have assimilated a solid bowling unit.

By contrast, Australia had named their XI, a day before the series-opener. With Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the first Test, they have handed a debut to Brendan Doggett, with Scott Boland getting the nod as the second seamer. Jake Weatherald has also earned his maiden Aussie cap and is all set to open the innings with Usman Khawaja.

England are hoping to win their first Test Down Under since 2011 and are winless in 13 Ashes matches out of the last 15 on Australian soil.

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Edited by Sooryanarayanan Sesha