Matthew Hayden brutally sledges Stuart Broad on-air as Scott Boland, Mitchell Starc run riot in Ashes opener

Australia created absolute havoc in the ongoing first Test of the Ashes 2025-26 at the Optus Stadium in Perth as Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland tore through England’s batting lineup. The biggest disappointment for England was Joe Root, whose long struggle in Australia continued with failures in both innings.

After getting out for a duck in the first innings, Root managed only eight in the second innings in Perth. Root was taken down by Starc on both occasions. In the first innings, Starc bowled a perfect length ball on the leg stump that straightened and forced Root to edge it to Marnus Labuschagne.

Mitchell Starc destroys Joe Root twice as Australia takes the upper hand in Perth

In the second innings, Starc removed Root with a classic dragged-on dismissal. The Australian pacer bowled a good-length delivery that moved slightly across the England batter. It wasn’t really in the right spot for a drive, but Root still pushed at it with his hands away from his body.

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The ball caught the inside edge and rolled back onto the stumps, leaving Root stunned as he had to walk back to the pavilion for just 8 runs off 11 balls with England struggling at 76/5 in the first Ashes Test. England looked stable at one point, but everything changed in a single over.

Scott Boland came in and removed Ollie Pope (33) and Harry Brook (0), and England suddenly collapsed from 65/1 to 76/4 at the Optus Stadium. Earlier, England openers Zak Crawley (0) and Ben Duckett (28) also failed to make an impact against Australia.

Matthew Hayden teases Stuart Broad as Australia rip through England in Ashes opener

With England looking shaky, Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith handed the ball to Starc again, and the move worked right away as they lost their biggest wicket in Root. Following the former England skipper's another flop show, the drama has intensified inside the commentary box.

The legendary Australian batter Matthew Hayden took a playful dig at Stuart Broad on live commentary as Australia tore through England in the Ashes opener in Perth. With Boland and Starc destroying the English batting lineup, Hayden joked about Broad watching it all from the commentary box.

Matthew Hayden pointed out how fast the game had changed and how Australia had grabbed control again with fierce, accurate fast bowling in the first Test against England.

Read Also: Mitchell Starc destroys Joe Root, Ben Stokes in both innings of Ashes opener, bags 10-fer in Perth

Matthew Hayden’s on-air dig at Stuart Broad goes viral

Matthew Hayden said in the commentary box, “Stuart Broad, stay in the commentary box. You are taking wickets galore. 5 for 76, can you believe it? Australia, I told you they weren't going anywhere. This is the stuff that's hard. It's nails. It's right now, and it's happening in front of you.”

On the other hand, Broad, sitting in the commentary box, looked completely stunned. The former England fast bowler was completely speechless and held his head in his hands, as he was clearly taken aback by how quickly the momentum had swung at the Optus Stadium.

Stuart Broad and Matthew Hayden are getting along brilliantly 😭#Ashes https://t.co/QyAAUQxrW8 pic.twitter.com/qYYr2iMNey

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) November 22, 2025

Notably, England bowled out for just 164 runs in their second innings, as Australia now needs only 205 runs to win the first Test and take a 1-0 lead in the Ashes 2025-26 series.