The Ashes began in the most unexpected of ways with 19 wickets falling on the first day itself. A year ago, the Australia-India Test series had a near identical start.
When England were bundled out for 172, cut open by a Mitchell Starc seven-for, the advantage appeared to be firmly in Australia's corner. But it all unravelled rapidly: the home team had to first deal with a makeshift opening pairing in Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne, with Usman Khawaja pushed down the order due to a back injury.
Jofra Archer struck in the first over, just like Mitchell Starc had hours earlier, and by the time stumps were called, Australia were nine down for 123, still trailing by 49 runs.
Perth 2024: When 17 wickets fell on day one
Almost exactly a year ago, the opening day of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy followed in a similar storyline. India's top order was blown away by Josh Hazlewood (4-29) and Mitchell Starc (2-14), with Mitchell Marsh playing a supporting role to bundle them out for 150. Aside from debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy (41) and Rishabh Pant (37), there was little resistance. KL Rahul, the only other batter to cross 20, found himself in the middle of a controversial caught-behind dismissal.
1st Test, Australia vs India
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But Australia themselves crumbled in response: the fightback was led by Jasprit Bumrah, who scythed through Australia's top order with a clinical 4-17 in ten overs. Australia found themselves to be seven down by end of play, having put on only 67 on the board. They managed to push through to 104 on the second morning, with Starc batting over two hours with a 112-ball 26. Nathan Lyon and Hazlewood hung around to give him company.
Bumrah ended with a five-wicket haul, with Harshit Rana claiming the final two wickets on debut.
Australia find themselves in a trickier position this time, with the last pair of Lyon and Brendan Doggett already in the middle. Doggett, on Test debut, comes in with a first-class average of 8.57, giving Australia little batting cushion to reduce the margin of lead.
India won the Perth Test last year: after their first-innings capitulation, they put on strong showing in the second, declaring on 487-6, headlined by Yashasvi Jaiswal's 161 and a century by Virat Kohli.
Chasing a mammoth 534, Australia found themselves down to 17-4, and despite fightback from the middle order, fell short by 295 runs. Bumrah took three more, as did Siraj, completing India's biggest win ever in Australia.
England would find some comfort in that scorecard, and if they're able to repeat the feat, it would be a momentous feat. However, they would like the comparisons to end there: India actually ended losing the series 3-1.
Also read: India stars cry 'double standards' over Perth pitch after 19 wickets fall on Ashes first day
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