Ben Stokes celebrates his five-wicket haul.
Credit: Reuters Photo
Captain Ben Stokes led England fightback with a five-wicket haul as they reduced Australia to 123 for nine on day 1 of the Ashes Test at Perth.
Earlier, Australia's pace spearhead Mitchell Starc stood tall with his career best bowling figures of seven for 58 to help skittle England for 172 after the visitors had decided to take first use of the wicket.
The 35-year-old was leading the attack in the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, the two other members of the pace trio that has kept Australia on the front foot for a decade.
Harry Brook (52) and Ollie Pope (46) offered the only resistance as they England crumbled after lunch.
All five previous Tests at the Perth venue have been won by the side batting first, but England did their best to challenge that, getting off to a horror start.
But England's elite fast bowlers, led by an exceptional Stokes (5-23) fought back to hit back at the hosts, who are trailing by 49.
Nineteen wickets fell on opening day of carnage with England skipper Stokes and Starc sharing the honours.
There was early drama in Australia's reply when Usman Khawaja failed to open with Marnus Labuschagne, instead walking out with debutant Jake Weatherald.
In a brutal introduction to Test cricket, Weatherald went for a second-ball duck, left on the floor by a Jofra Archer scorcher to eb adjudged leg before wicket.
Earlier, England opted for additional pace in their playing 11 with Brydon Carse getting the nod over off-spinner Shoaib Bashir.
To help cover the loss of fast bowlers Cummins and Hazlewood, Australia awarded a Test cap to Brendan Doggett while opener Weatherald also received his first cap.
(with inputs from agencies)