Perth, Nov 21, 2025

Brydon Carse hailed Ben Stokes’ inspirational leadership after England mounted a stunning fightback with the ball on a dramatic opening day of the first Test of the 2025-26 Ashes in Perth, where 19 wickets fell — the most ever on Day 1 of an Ashes series.

After being skittled for just 172 in 32.5 overs — England’s second-shortest Ashes innings in history — the visitors roared back to reduce Australia to 123 for 9, leaving the hosts trailing by 49 heading into day two. Carse spearheaded the revival by dismissing Steven Smith and Usman Khawaja, before Stokes produced a spell for the ages, claiming 5 for 45 in ten overs to shred Australia’s lower middle order.

Carse revealed that Stokes had set the tone for the day even before a ball was bowled, insisting the squad walk

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