The Ashes: England’s bowlers hit back at Australia on opening day in Perth

Captain Ben Stokes took five wickets as England’s fast bowlers sensationally stormed Australia on a thrilling opening day of the Ashes.

In an enthralling battle on a fast and bouncy pitch in Perth, England were bowled out for 172 runs, only to reduce Australia to 123-9.

The ferocious action lived up to the hype of the most anticipated Ashes series in recent memory.

Surprisingly, England were the first to bat by winning the toss, and got into trouble. Zak Crawley was out for a duck off the sixth ball of the series to Mitchell Starc, who was irrepressible in taking 7-58.

Harry Brook struck 52 and Ollie Pope batted well for 46, but England lost their last five wickets for 12 runs to be bowled out in 32.5 overs – the shortest first innings of an Ashes Test in this country in 123 years.

The five-man pace attack responded to the tourists with the fastest display of bowling by an England team since this data was first collected 18 years ago.

Jofra Archer was brilliant and deserved more than two wickets. Whenever there was a lull, England had a new man of peace to turn to. Brydon Carse removed Australia skipper and Monty Panesar’s foe Steve Smith.

Stokes used himself as a fifth bowler, first snuffing out any suggestion of Australia fighting and then running through the long tail. Playing for the first time since suffering a shoulder injury in July, the skipper took his second five wickets in as many Tests.

At the end of an unforgettable day, 19 wickets have fallen, England lead by 49 and have a golden opportunity to take a 1-0 lead.