Mitchell Starc and England pacers dominated on a pace-friendly Perth pitch as 19 wickets fell on day one of the Ashes. Former Indian cricketers highlighted contrasting narratives around pitch criticism,

The Ashes have gotten underway in an explosive fashion. The opening day saw England bundled out for 172 with Aussie paceman Mitchell Starc notching 7 for 58, the tourists responding by keeping the hosts at 123 for 9 at stumps, as captain Ben Stokes took 5 for 23.

The high drama and flow of wickets returned in the middle session Saturday after a morning lull, turning the Ashes series opener into a duel between the pace attacks of Australia and England. Mitchell Starc had 10 wickets for the match including his career-best 7-58 in the first innings,

As wickets tumbled and chaos reigned in the first five sessions in Perth, Travis Head rose above the rubble, delivering a knock for the ages that turned a frantic two-day contest into Australia's emphatic opening statement of the Ashes.