Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc stood tall on Friday with career-best bowling figures of seven for 58 to help skittle England for 172 before tea on a frenetic first day of the Ashes opener in Perth, where a total of 19 wickets tumbled. England counter-attacked with a pace onslaught of their own, led by skipper Ben Stokes who claimed five for 23 in six overs during the last session, to reduce the hosts to 123-9 at stumps and still trailing by 49 runs.

The 35-year-old Starc spearheaded Australia's attack in the absence of injured captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, the two other members of the pace trio that has kept his side on the front foot for a decade. "I guess a nice way to start a series," Starc said in an interview on the boundary at Perth Stadium.

"It's only one innings,

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