Mitchell Starc continued his splendid show on Day 2 of the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 encounter at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The pacer spearheading Australia's attack plucked a stunning catch off his own bowling as Zak Crawley was dismissed for yet another duck. The effort limited his stay in the middle for five balls, which was after he got out for a seven-ball duck in the first essay.
Starc added two more scalps to his tally in the innings. The visitors piled 164/10 in the second innings, leaving Australia with a 205-run target.
Starc produced one of the greatest Ashes performances earlier on Day 1, helping Australia bundle out England for just 172 after they won the toss and opted to bat. With impressive figures of 7/58, the left-arm fast bowler was at his best.
Starc, playing in his 101st Test, struck with the new ball in the opening over as Usman Khawaja grabbed a crisp, low catch at slip after the ball took the outside edge off Crawley's bat. Starc's knack for early breakthroughs was demonstrated by the fact that this was the 24th occasion he took a wicket in the opening over of an innings.
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Joe Root was crucial to England's chances, but Starc dismissed him for a duck in his opening burst as part of a formidable three-wicket spell that left the visitors reeling.
Ollie Pope (46) and Harry Brook (52), who provided momentary steadiness on either side of Lunch, were the only people who resisted with any conviction. However, England's innings quickly collapsed after Brook was dismissed by rookie Brendan Doggett, who impressed with 2 for 27. Best figures for Starc in Tests:
| Figures | Opponent | Venue | Year |
| 7/58 | England | Perth | 2025 |
| 6/9 | West Indies | Kingston | 2025 |
| 6/48 | India | Adelaide | 2024 |
The match also produced several notable statistical milestones. Shortest first innings of an Ashes Test in Australia (by balls faced):
| Balls faced | Team | Opponent | Venue | Year |
| 143 balls | England | Australia | Sydney | 1887 |
| 193 balls | Australia | England | Melbourne | 1902 |
| 197 balls | England | Australia | Perth | 2025 |
Starc's previous best of 6/9 against the West Indies in Kingston earlier this year and 6/48 against India in Adelaide in 2024 have been surpassed by his current bowling performance of 7/58. Additionally, it is the greatest bowling analysis ever recorded at the Perth Stadium.
Importance of Starc's 7/58 (key milestones)
| Achievement | Details |
| Starc’s best individual Test figures | 7/58 vs England, Perth |
| Best bowling figures at Perth Stadium | Starc now holds the record |
| Second 7-wicket haul in 21st century for Australia at home in Ashes Test | Rare modern feat |
| First bowler to take seven wickets on opening day of an Ashes Test in Australia since 1990/91 | Last achieved by Craig McDermott (8 wickets at the WACA) |
Starc became the second bowler from Australia to take seven wickets in an Ashes Test at home this century. Additionally, he is the first bowler to take seven wickets on the first day of an Ashes Test in Australia since Craig McDermott in the 1990–91 Ashes (McDermott took eight at the WACA).
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