 "A total of 19 wickets fell on Day 1 of the Ashes opener, with England in control at stumps. Image: AFP")
Day 1 of the first Ashes Test in Perth gave fans a roller-coaster experience, and most of the noise on social media ended with one name - Ben Stokes. The England captain bowled an unbelievable spell, taking five wickets in just six overs, turning the match upside down and leaving Australia struggling at 123/9 at stumps, still 49 runs behind.
England had earlier struggled with the bat after choosing to bat first. Mitchell Starc completely destroyed their top order with a sensational seven-wicket haul. The visitors were bowled out for 172, and it looked like Australia would control the match from there on. However, Stokes had other plans as he prevented the hosts from taking control with a brilliant spell of his own.
Australia lost Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne early. Jofra Archer struck with his second ball to send Weatherald back, and he also dismissed Marnus later. Steve Smith tried to settle in but could only make 17 before Brydon Carse sent him back. Carse also removed Usman Khawaja for just two runs, and suddenly Australia were under pressure.
But the real turning point came when Stokes came into the attack. He removed Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, and Scott Boland in a magical spell that lasted six overs. With this, he became the first England captain to take an Ashes five-for in Australia since Bob Willis in 1982. A total of 19 wickets fell on Day 1 of the Perth Test, the most taken on the opening day of an Ashes Test in the last 100 years.
Fans hail Ben Stokes as ‘greatest Test all-rounder’
Social media has exploded with praise for Stokes, with many fans calling him the “greatest all-rounder in Test cricket.”