Under the blistering sun of Perth – where England bumbled their way to the paltry score of 172 all out in 50 overs – few were optimistic about the tourists’ chances. The pitch was flat, true bounce, and Australia’s heralded batting order were prepared to feast. However by the time stumps arrived on Day 1, the script had taken a spectacular twist.
Ben Stokes, with the old ball in hand and an intense mindset to win, decimated Australia’s batting lineup with a display of bowling that had not been seen on this ground in many years: 6-0-37-5 in just 37.6 overs of the innings – Australia went from being comfortably placed at 112-2 to shockingly all out for 132. In all, it was akin to an Ashes miracle – the England captain delivered one of the all-time personal bowling spells by an Englishman on Australian soil.
The Spell Begins – Head Falls to a Moment of Madness
The 29th over was the moment of no return. Travis Head, appointed destroyer of bowling attacks, had scratched his way to 21 from 35 balls and was beginning to show some genuine intent. Stokes changed his angle, bowling round-the-wicket with a bouncer. Head skipped, turned and pulled a catch to Brydon Carse at mid-on. It was a soft dismissal, almost apologetic but it broke the spine of Australia’s resistance. Stokes let out a roar, the Barmy Army found their voice and suddenly England believed.
Cameron Green Follows – Classic Ben Stokes Magic
Two overs after that, Cameron Green – composed, elegant and seen as the future of Australian batting – nicked a drive to slip. Stokes angled the ball in from wide of the crease, got it to straighten the smallest amount from the surface, and kissed the outside edge. Jamie Smith took a regulation catch. Green walked off for 24 and shook his head on the way. From 112-2, Australia was now 118-4, and the momentum was irretrievably against them.
Lower-Order Carnage – Ben Stokes Hunts in Packs
It was then theatre. Mitchell Starc, sent in as a counter-attacker decided to have a go at a fuller delivery, and dragged a wild hack to mid-on – Carse felt like a natural for the catch. Alex Carey, having battled hard for 26, inevitably fell into a trap; with a third man in place, Stokes lured him with a short ball that Carey ramped neatly to the fielder. Finally, Scott Boland hung around for exactly two balls, tentatively poking at one that held its line to offer Harry Brook a sharp low catch at second slip. Five wickets in 54 balls. Stokes’ figures will be talked about for decades, including a five-wicket haul in six overs. The Perth Stadium, usually a fortress for Australia, turned eerily quiet.
The Ashes Are Alive
England‘s score of 172 suddenly seemed to be a competitive total, and possibly even a match-winning total from a pitch that was still providing extraordinary movement under lights. Australia‘s lower order will resume on Day 2 featuring Doggett and Lyon, and Australia has suffered a catastrophic psychological blow.
Stokes, who is creaking yet who has the fierce competitive fire within him fully lit, has brought his team back in the game when it looked lost, just before he marked out his run on Day 1. Day 1 belonged to England‘s captain Stokes. If this is the standard he wishes to set for the series, Australia has a significant issue. Ben Stokes has shown Australia the warning sign: the Ashes are alive, and he is there to do what is left to fight for them with every aspect he has left.
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