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

Left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc bagged a 10-wicket haul during the first Ashes 2025-26 Test between Australia and England at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Saturday, November 22. After conceding a first-innings lead, the veteran bowler played a crucial role with the ball to bring the home team back into the contest.

Starc removed key batters Joe Root and Ben Stokes in quick succession in the post-lunch session. Meanwhile, Scott Boland triggered the collapse by dismissing Ben Duckett, who scored 28 off 40 balls. Starc and Boland picked up three wickets each in the session as the visiting team collapsed to 88/6 in 24.4 overs.

Mitchell Starc Completes 10-Wicket Haul in Ashes 2025-26 Opener

Mitchell Starc removed Ben Stokes on the fourth ball of the 25th over in England’s second innings. Starc completed an outstanding 10-wicket haul. The England captain tried to defend a delivery in the fourth-stump channel, but a hint of late movement opened him up and produced an outside edge.

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Steve Smith, positioned at second slip, grabbed the catch cleanly. Stokes had to walk back to the dressing room after scoring just two runs. It was the 11th time in Test cricket that Starc dismissed him, and the second time in the ongoing match. Starc lifted the ball and celebrated a well-earned milestone.

10FA FOR STARC 🥹

What a match from the Australian left-arm star. He dismisses Ben Stokes for the ELEVENTH time in Test cricket, and England are now reeling at 6/88.

✍️ LIVE BLOG https://t.co/h7Tdw2z89w pic.twitter.com/2j1SKVgIef

— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) November 22, 2025

10 wickets for the match!

Magnificent, Mitch Starc.#Ashes | #MilestoneMoment | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/mMznMiumtS

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 22, 2025

Mitchell Starc Removes Joe Root Twice in Ashes 2025-26 Opener

Joe Root dragged a Mitchell Starc delivery onto his stumps. The ball was pitched up outside off, and Root reached out for a drive that wasn’t in his hitting zone. The inside edge disturbed the off stump, leaving Root visibly disappointed. Starc celebrated his ninth wicket of the match.

Root has now fallen to the left-arm quick 10 times in Test cricket. Josh Hazlewood has also removed Root 10 times, while Pat Cummins and Jasprit Bumrah, with 11 dismissals each, have dismissed him more.

Another massive strike from Starc 🔥
Root dragged on, pressure mounting, momentum rolling Australia’s way.

The Ashes drama keeps rising. 😍💥#AUSvENG | THE ASHES | 1st Test Day 2 | LIVE NOW pic.twitter.com/mmtS1YUyI2

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 22, 2025

Root has scored 349 Test runs from 639 deliveries against Starc at an average of 34.9 and with a strike rate a little above 54. Notably, the left-arm fast bowler removed him for a duck in the first innings.

Mitchell Starc Becomes First Australian Pacer to Take a 10-Wicket Haul...

Mitchell Starc ran through England’s batting lineup in the first innings with figures of 7 for 58 in just 12.5 overs. He returned in the second innings to add three more wickets, completing a memorable 10-wicket haul in the series opener.

Starc became only the 25th Australian to take 10 wickets in a home Ashes Test, and the first Australian pacer to do so on home soil since Craig McDermott at the WACA in 1991. No Australian had achieved the feat in any Ashes Test since Shane Warne’s haul at The Oval in 2005.

England let the match slip away with a series of reckless shots during the afternoon session. The Ben Stokes-led side’s poor decision-making allowed Australia to stage a comeback, and the hosts took full advantage.

Also read: Joe Root injured in warm-up during Perth Ashes Test; panic in England camp