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

Captain Ben Stokes took five wickets as England’s fast bowlers sensationally tore into Australia on an electrifying opening day of the Ashes.

In a captivating slugfest on a fast and bouncy pitch in Perth, England were bundled out for 172, 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 batting first on winning the toss, England ‘Bazballed’ their way into trouble. Zak Crawley was out for a duck from the sixth ball of the series to Mitchell Starc, who was irrepressible in taking 7-58.

Harry Brook swiped 52 and Ollie Pope batted nicely 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 for 123 years.

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

Jofra Archer was magnificent and deserved more than two wickets. Any time there was a lull, England had a fresh paceman to turn to. Brydon Carse removed Australia captain and Monty Panesar’s nemesis Steve Smith.

Stokes used himself as the fifth bowler, firstly snuffing out any suggestion of an Australia fightback then running through the long tail. Playing for the first time since suffering a shoulder injury in July, the skipper claimed his second five-wicket haul in as many Tests.

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