England’s hopes of taking control of the opening 2025–26 Ashes Test took a major hit on day two in Perth, as another dramatic batting collapse handed Australia a target of 205 runs to win. What had looked like a promising position early in the day quickly unraveled in a chaotic post-lunch session dominated by Australia’s fast bowlers.

Australia, bowled out themselves for just 132 in the morning, roared back with a blistering spell of pace that shredded England’s top and middle order. In just 11 overs, England disintegrated from 65–1 to 104–7, losing six wickets for only 39 runs — including three wickets in the space of six deliveries.

Although a late counterattack from Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse briefly lifted the visitors, England were finally dismissed for 164, leaving the match finely poised heading into Australia’s chase.

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Starc Takes First Ashes 10-Wicket Haul for Australia in 20 Years

Mitchell Starc delivered one of the finest bowling performances of his career, becoming the first Australian bowler since Shane Warne in 2005 to claim a 10-wicket match haul in an Ashes Test.

His raw pace and ability to extract steep bounce on a lively Perth pitch proved too much for England’s batters. Starc was backed brilliantly by Scott Boland, who bounced back from a disappointing first innings to play a pivotal role in the destructive post-lunch spell.

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England Start Well, Then Collapse After Lunch

England’s innings began poorly when Zak Crawley was dismissed for a duck off just the fifth ball — completing only the fourth pair by an England opener in Ashes history. A partnership between Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope restored some stability, adding 65 runs and moving England into what looked like a commanding position.

But the restart after lunch triggered chaos.

• Boland struck first, first hitting Duckett on the elbow before having him caught at second slip.
• In his next over, Pope chased a wide ball and edged behind.
• Three balls later, Harry Brook played an uncharacteristically loose shot and was caught at first slip.

Moments later, Joe Root fell to Starc, inside-edging a booming drive onto his stumps. The collapse continued when Ben Stokes edged to slip, giving Starc his 10th wicket of the match.

England’s dramatic slide mirrored the wicket-filled pattern of day one, where both sides struggled to build partnerships on a fast, unpredictable surface.

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More Dismissal Drama: Jamie Smith Out After Controversial Review

The controversy of the match intensified when Jamie Smith was ruled out after a lengthy third-umpire review, overturning the on-field decision. The Real Time Snickometer showed a faint spike as the ball passed the glove, leading to Smith being dismissed after an extended delay.

Earlier, Smith had been dropped on zero by Usman Khawaja at first slip.

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Atkinson and Carse Fight Back With Rapid Counterattack

With England reeling at 104–7, Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse mounted an aggressive rescue mission, blasting 50 runs from just 34 balls. Their counterpunch forced Australia to spread the field and briefly swung momentum back towards the visitors.

• Atkinson smashed two huge sixes off Starc.
• Carse launched Doggett and Boland for towering blows down the ground.

Their fun eventually ended when Carse’s attempted scoop was caught behind, Jofra Archer holed out soon after, and Atkinson fell for 37, caught on the fine-leg boundary.

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Australia’s Injury Concerns: Khawaja and Lyon in Spotlight

Australia will begin their second-innings chase without confirmation on whether Usman Khawaja will be fit to open. The left-hander again spent extended time off the field after leaping to attempt an overhead catch that flew past him.

Meanwhile, off-spinner Nathan Lyon is nursing a hip issue and has played only a minimal role in a match dominated by fast bowling.

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A Test on a Knife’s Edge

With 205 needed to win — the highest total of the match — Australia face a tricky chase on a surface offering inconsistent bounce and plenty of pace. England’s bowlers, who skittled Australia for 132 earlier in the day, will believe they can keep the contest alive.

After two days filled with wickets, momentum swings, and controversy, the first Ashes Test in Perth is set for a dramatic finish.