The Ashes 2025, first Test, day one as it happened: Stokes triggers stunning collapse as Australian batters capitulate

Alex Carey’s vigil is over. “Oh” as he plays the shot says it all. Stokes sends down a half-tracker with 10 minutes to play. Carey steps to leg and ramps the ball straight down the throat of third man.

As wild as some of England’s batting was, Australia have thrown away their share of wickets in this innings as well. And they know it. Stokes has his fourth... and then his fifth.

Scott Boland nicks straight to second slip, Harry Brook snaffles a low catch. Umpires checking the catch on the replays to make sure it carried. Yep, that’s out. Boland on his way after two balls.

Australia: 9-121 (Lyon 1*, Boland 0) trail by 51 runs.

Just as it appeared Australia were edging themselves back ahead in the game, Mitchell Starc has teed off on Ben Stokes but failed to clear Brydon Carse at mid-on. Simon Katich, on SEN, described the shot as “soft” and “ridiculous” - and it’s hard to disagree.

Starc was trying to hit that out the park but mistimed the shot completely. He is the 17th wicket to fall on a turbo-charged day one. It matches the wild first day of the series-opener against India at this venue last year.

And wouldn’t you believe it. Just when Australia start to gain a little momentum, it’s Ben Stokes once more with the breakthrough and a rash shot, albeit from Mitchell Starc.

The big left-hander is gone for 12 from as many balls, trying to hit out and only manages to find Brydon Carse at mid-on.

Nathan Lyon walks out and now gets to face up to Jofra Archer.

Australia: 7-118 (Carey 25*, Starc 12) trail by 53 runs.

Glass half full for Australia? Alex Carey is more consistent than ever as a Test batter, and is finding his feet at No.7.

Last year was his best in Tests, highlighted by 156 against Sri Lanka in Galle.

Fair enough if you didn’t see it - the Windies tour was in the dead of the Australian night - but Carey contributed a critical pair of 60s on tough pitches over there at a decent clip.

Australia: 6-113 (Carey 22*, Starc 10*) trail by 59 runs.

Alex Carey pushes Australia to 100 - not what you want your No.7 doing - slashing off the back foot through cover. The official crowd figure is in - 51,531 have seen 16 wickets already and we’ve got 30 minutes of play left today.

That’s a record for any day of Test cricket in Perth, surpassing the 32,368 for the second day of last year’s game against India

Ominously for Australia, Jofra Archer hasn’t been sighted at the crease this session. Surely we’ll see him soon for three overs of twilight terror.

Australia: 6-103 (Carey 16*, Starc 7*) trail by 69 runs.

And there goes Green, Ben Stokes turns Ashes tormentor once again with his second wicket in 13 balls.

Outside off, full, Green is tempted into a big drive by the gap at cover. Only gets as far as edging through to Jamie Smith.

Poor old Mitchell Starc now to the crease - he was only bowling and taking seven wickets himself a few hours ago.

Australia’s long tail now to the crease. Could really do with some of those clutch runs Pat Cummins has been eking out in recent years.

Australia: 6-88 (Carey 4*, Starc 1*) trail by 84 runs.

Just as Australia was starting to breathe a little easier and turn over the strike, Ben Stokes does it all himself. Travis Head will be kicking himself, rocked back and flicked a lazy one straight to mid-on.

Brydon Carse can’t believe his luck. He’s the only fielder in front of square on the on-side and Head found him. Australia needed that like a hole in the head. Partnership of 45 with Cameron Green ends, Alex Carey to the crease. Ben Stokes once again finds a wicket just when England need one.

Australia: 5-76 (Head 21, Green 21*) trail by 93 runs.